ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will remain in place until its objectives are achieved, while confirming that no formal negotiations are currently underway with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Speaking during a private television programme, Rana Sanaullah said there were currently no formal talks with PTI, although backchannel contacts continued from time to time. He reiterated that governor's rule in the province would remain in place until the desired objectives were achieved.
Commenting on the security situation, he said terrorism was spreading in the region with assistance from India and Afghanistan. He stressed that preventing terrorism was of critical importance and said all stakeholders would be taken on board in efforts to address the threat.
He maintained that there was no alternative to achieving success in the war against terrorism, adding that combating the menace remained essential.
Responding to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's opposition to governor's rule, the prime minister's adviser said he was entitled to hold a different opinion.
Rana Sanaullah said no one wanted to escalate tensions with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, adding that there was no confrontation between the two sides and that the matter involved only a difference of opinion.
He said the government had the right to disagree with JUI-F's position, just as the party had the right to express its disagreement with the government's stance.
Commenting on Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik's statement regarding corruption in Punjab, Rana Sanaullah said allegations should not be levelled without evidence.
He added that when there was no proof available, such accusations should be avoided, noting that Chaudhry Salik himself had acknowledged that he did not possess evidence to support his claim.