ISLAMABAD: The opposition alliance and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman have agreed to convene an All-Parties Conference (APC) amid heightened political tensions following the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards Islamabad. The decision was reached during consultations between Maulana Fazlur Rehman and opposition leaders, who discussed the prevailing political situation, the PTI protest movement and prospects for negotiations with the government. Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, Maulana Fazlur Rehman described the PTI’s long march as a democratic right and rejected the imposition of governor’s rule or emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a solution to the province’s political challenges. He said political disputes should be resolved through dialogue, consultation and mutual understanding rather than confrontation. Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas called for urgent measures to address the country’s economic difficulties and law-and-order situation. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the party had entrusted its negotiating authority to Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the party would continue its political struggle if its demands were not addressed. He also defended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, saying he should not be held responsible for any failure in negotiations. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif separately reviewed the country’s political and security situation at Aiwan-e-Sadr, including developments linked to the PTI long march. The latest political consultations come as government and opposition figures explore dialogue and parliamentary engagement to ease tensions and address the issues underlying the current political standoff.
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