Amid a deadlock between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), both sides are willing to have Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman mediate between them, according to sources.
The government and opposition have approached Fazlur Rehman to play a mediating role, with the JUI-F chief informing both sides that he has set five conditions before deciding whether to formally step in.
The development comes after government-opposition negotiations failed to resolve differences, while PTI’s long march towards Islamabad has added to political tensions. Recent talks ended without agreement on key issues, including access to PTI founder Imran Khan and other matters linked to the protest.
According to sources, Fazlur Rehman has told both the government and opposition that he will first assess how serious they are about resolving the political dispute before accepting the role of mediator. He will review the responses of both sides and then decide whether he is willing to formally undertake the mediation process.
Sources said Fazlur Rehman has also made it clear that he would step in once the parties reach agreement on fundamental issues.
The JUI-F chief has conveyed to the parties that a way forward can still be found through sincere efforts and political engagement.
‘Middle ground through mutual understanding’
Fazlur Rehman has advised the government and opposition to acknowledge each other’s positions if they want to find common ground. He has maintained that a middle ground can emerge when both sides are prepared to recognize each other’s stance and make efforts toward a political settlement.
The JUI-F chief has also stressed the importance of political dialogue and moderation amid the continuing standoff.
In recent remarks, Fazlur Rehman said political forces should resolve differences through negotiations and move towards political moderation. He also said long marches and protests are democratic rights when parties commit to remaining peaceful.
Warning over force against PTI long march
Fazlur Rehman has also warned the parties against using force to stop the PTI long march, saying nothing will remain if force is used against the protesters.
His remarks come as PTI supporters continue their march towards Islamabad after negotiations between the government and opposition failed to produce a breakthrough.
The government-opposition talks had been aimed at averting the PTI’s planned march, but the negotiations eventually collapsed after the sides failed to bridge differences on fundamental issues.
Fazlur Rehman has previously said that if a political party announces that its protest will remain peaceful, its commitment should be trusted. He has also opposed treating political confrontation through emergency measures as a solution and called for broader political consultations.
Meeting with PM Shehbaz Sharif likely
Sources said a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Fazlur Rehman is likely after the JUI-F chief gives a green signal to assume the mediating role.
The proposed engagement could provide another channel for communication between the government and PTI as both sides remain locked in a political standoff.
Fazlur Rehman has already been holding consultations with opposition leaders. On October 7, he met opposition representatives and backed broader political consultations, including an All Parties Conference, to discuss the country’s political situation and the tensions surrounding the PTI march.