Consensus between the President and Prime Minister on the country’s political and constitutional situation
(Asghar Ali Mubarak)
In light of the country’s current political and constitutional situation, the government’s decision-making process has entered a decisive phase. Throughout this political and constitutional progression, the President and the Prime Minister have reached complete consensus on all critical decisions, and the two highest constitutional office-holders are in full agreement on the decision-making process. A significant meeting regarding the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held at the Presidency, presided over by President Asif Ali Zardari. The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister, key federal ministers, and security officials, while PPP leaders Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rehman were also present. Reports from national security agencies were reviewed, and a proposal to impose an emergency in 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—including the merged districts—was considered. Deliberations were held on exercising key federal powers to ensure public safety in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and various options under Articles 232 to 234 of the Constitution were discussed. Important decisions regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were made during the meeting. Shehbaz Sharif returned to the Prime Minister’s House from the Presidency, and the Prime Minister has summoned an emergency meeting of the federal cabinet. There is complete consensus and perfect harmony between the President and the Prime Minister regarding key decisions concerning the country’s current political and constitutional situation. According to a report by senior journalist Asghar Ali Mubarak, crucial and definitive decisions at the government level have now entered their decisive phase. The federal government is set to begin implementing the most significant decisions reached between the President and the Prime Minister very soon. In this regard, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remains in constant contact with his special advisory team to manage the overall law and order situation and political tensions in the country. Insider details regarding the behind-the-scenes consultations between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reveal that the following definitive decisions have been made on the security front, given the prevailing law and order and political climate:
Security forces and law enforcement agencies have been placed on high alert along the borders between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to preempt any potential violent protests or law-and-order crises. Although the opposition has expressed apprehensions regarding the imposition of Governor’s Rule, the President and Prime Minister have agreed to mobilize security agencies rather than resorting to such an extreme measure; additional contingents of the Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) will remain deployed at sensitive locations to maintain law and order. According to briefings, clear directives have been issued to security agencies to further intensify intelligence-based operations (IBOs) against elements abetting terrorism—specifically facilitators of the TTP and BLA—and to ensure there is absolutely no compromise on national security. Following the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the federal government is paving the way for the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the contours of which are as follows: the primary objective of the 27th Amendment is to further balance the administrative capabilities of the Election Commission, the scope of the federation’s jurisdiction, and the mechanisms for judicial review. The federal government considers the support of Maulana Fazlur Rehman essential for introducing any new amendment. A delegation comprising Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Rana Sanaullah has assured the JUI-F chief that the government will not table any new bill in Parliament without first addressing his concerns. A consultative committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar remains in constant contact with legal experts from the PPP, MQM, and other allied parties to secure a comprehensive consensus on the draft beforehand, thereby preventing a recurrence of political deadlock. The primary aim of the ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations is to achieve a “political ceasefire,” minimizing tensions between the government and the opposition—particularly in the event of an All Parties Conference (APC)—and steering the country toward economic and political stability. In line with this joint strategy adopted by the President and the Prime Minister, a high-level delegation led by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq met with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. The purpose of the meeting was to fully take him into confidence regarding the federation’s concerns, the country’s political situation, and future constitutional and political decisions. Efforts regarding back-channel contacts have been significantly intensified to reduce the prevailing political agitation and tension, aiming to forge a clear, consensus-based political path for the country’s betterment through mutual understanding among all stakeholders. Just prior to these consultations, a high-level opposition delegation held a detailed meeting with Maulana Fazlur Rehman; this underscores the pivotal role the JUI-F chief has assumed in the national political landscape following the decisions made by the President and the Prime Minister. Speaking after the meeting, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq confirmed that back-channel contacts are ongoing and that he remains in touch with his parliamentary colleagues. The fact that a high-level opposition delegation met with Maulana Fazlur Rehman—engaging in detailed consultations regarding the current constitutional and governmental situation—immediately before the arrival of the government delegation further highlights his status as the focal point of national politics. In the wake of the recent political deadlock and the tense situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, both the government and the opposition have agreed to accept JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as a mediator. Maulana Fazlur Rehman has laid down five stringent conditions for the parties involved to fulfill if he is to play this mediating role. He has clearly advised the government delegation that, rather than imposing Governor’s Rule or a state of emergency in the province, the path of mutual understanding and political dialogue should be pursued to steer the country out of the political crisis. They maintain that both sides must adopt a more moderate political tone to resolve the political imbalance in the country. A delegation from the opposition alliance—comprising Leader of the Opposition Mahmood Khan Achakzai and other leaders—held a detailed meeting with Maulana Fazlur Rehman. During this meeting, key issues were raised by the opposition:

The opposition and Maulana Fazlur Rehman have agreed to convene an All Parties Conference (APC) to formulate a joint strategy regarding the country’s political and economic crises and the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Opposition figures—including Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai—have made it clear that any final negotiations with the government will be contingent upon meeting the PTI founder, Imran Khan, and securing his approval. Maulana Fazlur Rehman has termed PTI’s long march and political activities as their democratic right and urged the government to abandon its policy of political victimization against the opposition. The process of consultation—both behind-the-scenes and on the record—regarding further constitutional amendments has intensified; the federal government, having taken its coalition partners (including the PPP, MQM, and others) into confidence, has begun preparations to introduce the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which addresses matters related to federalism, judicial review, and the Election Commission. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has clarified that the constitutional package will be presented in Parliament only after consultations with all allies are concluded, and there will be no undue haste in the matter. Opposition parties, particularly Barrister Ali Zafar, have termed this a conspiracy against the Constitution and an attempt to roll back the 18th Amendment. Meanwhile, Maulana Fazlur Rehman is also insisting on participating in consultations regarding the new amendments and upholding the supremacy of Parliament. The entire political landscape currently revolves around back-channel contacts and the pursuit of a consensus-based political path—facilitated by an All Parties Conference (APC)—to alleviate national tensions. Details regarding the date and agenda of the APC, convened by the opposition alliance “Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain-e-Pakistan” (TTAP) to resolve the national crisis, are as follows: Consultations to finalize the date are ongoing following recent meetings between JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other opposition leaders.
• Strategy: According to TTAP leaders Asad Qaiser and Barrister Gohar Khan, they are not rushing the announcement of the date. Their objective is to first establish a complete consensus on the agenda by meeting with all major political forces across the country—including Jamaat-e-Islami, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s party, and government allies. Once this consensus is reached, the definitive date for the conference will be announced, likely for mid-to-late October 2026. Based on joint press conferences and declarations by opposition parties and JUI-F, the proposed APC agenda will not be limited to a single point or imposed unilaterally; instead, it will be formulated through consultation among all parties and will address the following critical national issues:
• Law and Order and Security Situation: Formulating a joint national strategy to address the precarious law-and-order situation and security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. • Fundamental Human Rights and Constitutional Supremacy: Ensuring the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution in the country, the release of political prisoners, and the protection of the right to engage in political and democratic activities (such as protests and long marches).
• Protection of Provincial Rights and Resources: Safeguarding the resources and powers of the provinces as enshrined in the Constitution, the parliamentary system, the 18th Amendment, and the NFC Award. The opposition maintains that any attempt to reduce provinces to mere administrative units will be opposed.
• Resolution of the Economic Crisis: Establishing an economic consensus among all democratic forces to steer the country out of the current severe economic instability and inflation. Maulana Fazlur Rehman has clarified that he remains optimistic about holding this All Parties Conference (APC) and the success of political negotiations only if:

  1. The negotiations are based on a “give-and-take” approach.
  2. There is no interference from any behind-the-scenes or non-political forces in this entire political process. Addressing a press conference alongside opposition leaders, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that democratic and political forces believe in dialogue; while they do not disagree with the process of negotiation in principle, the government’s attitude appears to be narrowing the scope for future talks. The country’s political situation is unbalanced, and the government’s conduct toward the opposition is evident to all. Negotiations should be conducted in a political spirit, and dialogue must proceed without the interference of behind-the-scenes forces. The JUI chief stated that negotiations can only be fruitful based on a give-and-take approach; the government has proposed an All Parties Conference (APC), a matter on which he will consult his party, and opposition parties should also give this proposal serious consideration. If an All Parties Conference takes place, a joint agenda and course of action should emerge through the consultation of all parties to foster moderation in the country’s political affairs and enable the resolution of national issues through dialogue. He emphasized that all citizens are equal Pakistanis, and no one’s loyalty should be questioned; they stand with the Constitution and the state and will move forward in the national interest. Long marches and protests are political and democratic rights; if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf wishes to come to Islamabad, it should, in principle, be granted permission. Meanwhile, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas stated that he had come to extend an invitation for an All Parties Conference. Noting that the country’s economic and law-and-order situations are poor, he urged politicians to work together to find solutions to these problems. Senator Rana Sanaullah, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs, stated that the offer for negotiations remains open and dialogue could take place if the long march is called off; regarding whatever decision the federal government has taken in the war against terrorism…All institutions and provincial governments should stand by it unconditionally; the Tehreek-e-Insaf should also unconditionally stand with Pakistan and the federal government in the war against terror. The government never told the Tehreek-e-Insaf that a meeting with the PTI founder would not be arranged. The Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs stated that one reason negotiations did not progress was the Tehreek-e-Insaf’s disagreement with the government’s counter-terrorism policy and its opposition to its implementation. The Prime Minister’s offer for dialogue remains open; talks can take place if the Tehreek-e-Insaf calls off its long march. He claimed that even if the Tehreek-e-Insaf continued its long march for a month, it would eventually exhaust itself, noting that the current number of participants is not in a position to reach Islamabad. He added that if the Tehreek-e-Insaf wishes to submit resignations, it has done so before—having already experimented with dissolving two assemblies—and could try doing so again. The Advisor on Political Affairs further stated that Maulana Fazlur Rehman stands with the government and the Pakistan Armed Forces in the war against terror, and the government maintains contact with him.
    Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam stated that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi should have focused on law and order instead of long marches or short marches. He remarked that Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has elevated Pakistan’s stature globally, while the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa desire peace, stability, and development. The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should have focused on improving the law and order situation in the province, as the people desire peace and development. Amir Muqam alleged that over the past 13 years, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government created hardships for the people of the province and acted with hostility towards them. Criticizing the ‘long march,’ he stated that people are being fleeced in its name and claimed that the PTI’s long march would not be able to reach Islamabad. Noting that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa seek peace, stability, and progress, he expressed hope that terrorism would be eradicated from the province, peace would soon be established, and the process of development would move forward.