Rana Sanaullah rules out reversal of KP setup, offers talks to PTI

Rana Sanaullah rules out reversal of KP setup, offers talks to PTI

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has offered to hold talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) without preconditions, while ruling out any reversal of the new administrative arrangement in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Sanaullah said the government remained willing to negotiate with PTI, provided the party did not impose conditions on the dialogue.

On the arrest of former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi, he said authorities should formally reflect his arrest in the cases registered against him in Islamabad. He added that Afridi should face the legal proceedings and seek bail through the courts.

Sanaullah also defended the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency measures in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, saying the situation had made such action inevitable. He argued that the two constitutional measures served broadly similar purposes but operated under different provisions of the Constitution.

Explaining the distinction, he said Article 232 provides for a proclamation of emergency while leaving the provincial assembly intact, whereas Article 234 allows the suspension of constitutional machinery in a province, subject to a maximum period of six months.

He said the federal government wanted the new administrative arrangement to help improve governance and accelerate development in the province. However, he identified eliminating terrorism as its foremost priority.

Discussing the security situation, Sanaullah claimed that the threat had changed from what Pakistan experienced in the past. Referring to Marka-e-Haq, he alleged that India had established a presence in Afghanistan and was operating training camps there. He also claimed that New Delhi was pursuing what he described as “Sindoor Phase Two”.

He warned that Pakistan could face serious consequences if the alleged threat remained unaddressed.

The adviser further accused the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government of failing to play its part in countering terrorism despite repeated requests from the federal government. He said this failure had left the centre with no option but to introduce the new administrative measures.

Sanaullah maintained that the government intended to retain the arrangement while pursuing its stated objectives of improving governance, promoting development and restoring peace in the province.