Rana Sanaullah Says Terrorism Is Pakistan’s Biggest Challenge, Not Generator Outside Fazlur Rehman’s House
ISLAMABAD:Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that terrorism, rather than a generator or security cabin outside Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s residence, is Pakistan’s most pressing challenge, stressing that the government’s primary focus should be on eliminating the menace.
Speaking on Geo News, Sanaullah commented on the controversy surrounding the generator and security cabin outside the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief’s residence. He said that if anyone faced difficulties in accessing the area, the matter could be resolved through polite discussion.
He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and he himself had visited Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s residence several times and had never faced any obstruction. The government, he added, would review the matter through mutual understanding.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said Maulana Fazlur Rehman might hold different political views, but everyone had the democratic right to disagree. However, he stressed that political differences should remain within the bounds of mutual respect.
Sanaullah also urged the JUI-F chief to control his emotions and anger, saying that the challenges he frequently issued and his harsh tone were not appropriate for the political environment. He said intervention at the prime ministerial level could help restore respect between the two sides.
Referring to past political developments, Sanaullah said all political parties had spent around one and a half months negotiating with Maulana Fazlur Rehman to secure approval for the 26th Constitutional Amendment. He said delegations comprising three parties at a time held discussions with him, and every clause of the amendment was debated at length before consensus was reached and legislation completed.
He said the establishment of a constitutional court under the 27th Constitutional Amendment was essentially a continuation of the unfinished agenda of the 26th Amendment.
On the creation of new provinces and constitutional amendments, Sanaullah said passing legislation now but implementing it after the next general elections did not appear to be a workable arrangement.
He maintained that all decisions regarding the creation or otherwise of new provinces should be made through Parliament. The final decision on holding a referendum, including the questions to be put before voters, would also rest with Parliament.
He said the government supported bringing any new constitutional amendment before Parliament once the required numbers were secured. However, no formal preparations or consultations had so far begun regarding the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment.
Discussing the country’s administrative structure, Sanaullah said the 18th Constitutional Amendment had transferred powers from the federal government to the provinces, but provincial governments had failed to devolve those powers further to the grassroots level.
He said the real issue was the lack of devolution at the local level, which could not be addressed without smaller administrative units or an effective local government system.
He proposed establishing Provincial Finance Commissions (PFCs) on the pattern of the National Finance Commission (NFC), with funds transferred directly to union councils. However, he stressed that constitutional protection for local government institutions was essential for this purpose.
Regarding meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan in prison and his health, Sanaullah said meetings could be restored if PTI leaders stopped misusing the facility.
He said misleading reports had circulated after a recent meeting involving Salman Safdar, claiming that Imran Khan’s blood pressure had increased. Sanaullah rejected the reports, saying the PTI founder had no blood pressure problem.
He maintained that no negligence had been shown in Imran Khan’s medical care in the past or at present. He assured that any medical recommendations made by doctors would be implemented immediately and in full.
