Sanaullah Ceasefire Call to Fazl in Terror Fight
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has made a Sanaullah ceasefire call to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, urging him to set aside political differences and stand with the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
Speaking on the private television programme Capital Talk on Wednesday, Sanaullah said the JUI-F chief should not, under any circumstances, stand on the other side in the war against terrorism. He said he would raise the matter with the prime minister and speak to Maulana Fazl himself. The Express Tribune reported his remarks from the programme.
“If, for some reason, Maulana stands on the other side, I believe it would be a loss for the country,” Sanaullah said. “Both sides have to make an effort. There should be a ceasefire in this matter.”
He described terrorism as a threat to Pakistan’s existence and said all political differences should be set aside while the country fights it. He added that Maulana Fazl, given his standing and influence in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, should support the armed forces in that fight.
What the Sanaullah ceasefire call means
Sanaullah acknowledged Maulana Fazl’s efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. At the same time, he expressed concern over the JUI-F chief’s recent speeches, saying Fazl appeared to blame the current military leadership for the mistakes and undemocratic actions of successive establishments over several decades.
“Maulana should be told that this kind of dialogue is not appropriate,” Sanaullah said. He argued that the incumbent army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, had removed liabilities built up by the army over 78 years and had brought honour to the armed forces, the nation and Pakistan through Marka-e-Haq.
The adviser said there was a need to engage Maulana Fazl in dialogue and explain why such criticism was inappropriate. His remarks point to a government effort to lower the temperature with the JUI-F chief rather than press the confrontation further.
Why the rift widened
Tensions between the JUI-F chief and the federal government have risen sharply in recent weeks over constitutional disputes, security policies in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and new accountability inquiries targeting his inner circle.
After the imposition of the emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Fazl accused the government of backing out of negotiations with the PTI and the opposition, despite initially agreeing to their demands. He rejected the governor’s rule and the emergency outright, saying that if an emergency had to be imposed, it should be imposed on the federal government, which he described as illegitimate.
The criticism then spilled into the National Assembly, where the war of words grew sharper. Fazl accused the government of misusing the Constitution. Federal ministers hit back, accusing the JUI-F chief of overlooking his own role in forming and toppling governments.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi criticised Fazl over his opposition to the governor’s rule, suggesting the religious-political leader was unhappy at not being offered a role in the new provincial setup. A delegation of the PTI and the Tehreek Tahafuz Aiyeen-i-Pakistan later expressed full support for Fazl’s speech in the National Assembly and condemned what it called his character assassination by government ministers after his strong criticism of the government’s actions.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa backdrop
The row comes as the JUI-F prepares for protests across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on November 15, and as accountability pressure grows on Fazl’s family. His son Asad Mahmood has received a second notice from the National Accountability Bureau.
The security stakes are high. Ten police personnel were killed in an ambush on a police team in Kohat’s Gambat area this week, while a Peshawar anti-terrorism court has reissued arrest warrants for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in the Radio Pakistan attack case.
Sanaullah was also asked about reports that efforts were being made to distance the PTI from Maulana Fazl. He questioned why the JUI-F chief should not instead be brought closer to the government. “Isn’t that much more appropriate?” he asked.
What happens next
Sanaullah said he would discuss the matter with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and then speak to Maulana Fazl directly. That conversation will test whether the ceasefire call can turn into a working understanding between the government and the JUI-F.
For now, the adviser has drawn a clear line. Political disagreement can continue, he argued, but it must not place a major religious-political leader on the opposite side of a war the state describes as a fight for the country’s survival. The response from Maulana Fazl will show whether the offer is accepted or the rift deepens further, with the PTI’s own cautious stance on governor’s rule in the province adding another layer to the politics of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Frequently asked questions
Who called for a ceasefire with Fazlur Rehman?
Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, called for a ceasefire between the government and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on the television programme Capital Talk.
What did Sanaullah ask Fazl to do?
He asked the JUI-F chief to set aside political differences, avoid standing against the state in the war on terrorism, and support the armed forces.
Why are the government and JUI-F in conflict?
Tensions rose over constitutional disputes, security policies in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the emergency and governor’s rule in the province, and accountability inquiries targeting Fazl’s inner circle.
What did Sanaullah say about Field Marshal Asim Munir?
He said the army chief had removed liabilities built up by the army over 78 years and brought honour to the armed forces, the nation and Pakistan through Marka-e-Haq.
Will Sanaullah speak to Fazl directly?
Yes. He said he would discuss the matter with the prime minister and then speak to Maulana Fazl himself.
