ISLAMABAD, October 9, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman late on Thursday night to discuss the country’s political situation, with particular focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the PTI long march, according to government sources.
The contact took place after a meeting chaired by the prime minister in which the government reviewed the political and security situation and discussed the ongoing dialogue process with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
During the conversation, Fazlur Rehman reiterated that political disputes should be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding, sources said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, meanwhile, appreciated Fazlur Rehman’s political role and conciliatory approach and said the federal government had made every possible effort to resolve matters through political means.
According to the sources, the prime minister said the government wanted political stability and had worked hard to improve the country’s economy.
He also maintained that PTI’s insistence on continuing its long march and what he described as its lack of focus on counterterrorism measures had complicated the situation.
Shehbaz Sharif urged both the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the opposition to take the situation seriously and said the opposition should avoid advancing on the federal capital.
The telephone call came after a government committee met Fazlur Rehman as efforts continued to break the deadlock between the government and opposition.
The JUI-F chief had earlier indicated his willingness to play a mediatory role, provided both sides demonstrated seriousness in resolving the dispute. Sources said the government had decided to give time to his mediation efforts.
Political tensions have remained elevated amid PTI’s long march towards Islamabad, while both the government and opposition continue to face pressure to return to negotiations.