The prime minister’s adviser says political parties that do not support efforts to eliminate terrorism will be sidelined, while ruling out any current discussion or draft of a proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — WEB DESK: Adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has warned that political parties that do not support efforts to eliminate terrorism in Pakistan will be sidelined, calling for national unity against militant violence.
Rana Sanaullah said parties must stand firmly with the security forces in the fight against terrorism. His remarks came amid renewed debate over the political future of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the role of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the province.
Asked whether PTI would continue to play a role in the province or face a possible “minus” scenario, Sanaullah responded that political parties that did not join the campaign against terrorism would be “minus”.
The statement was made in the context of political participation and counterterrorism. It does not, by itself, establish that a formal decision has been taken to exclude any particular party from politics.
Government Prioritises Counterterrorism
Sanaullah said eliminating terrorism was a government priority, arguing that public safety and improvements in everyday life depended on addressing the security threat.
He also said political parties that did not fully support the security forces in counterterrorism efforts risked being sidelined
The remarks followed a meeting of the federal apex committee chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Peshawar on Thursday, October 22, to review the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Field Marshal Asim Munir, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, federal ministers and newly appointed provincial advisers attended the meeting. Sharif criticised PTI over the deteriorating security situation and pledged that the federal government would work to restore stability and development in the province.
Rs160 Billion Requested for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Sanaullah said Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had requested Rs160 billion for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that the prime minister approved the request immediately.
The figure and approval were reported as Sanaullah’s statements. Further details about the funding’s intended uses, disbursement schedule and implementation were not provided in the report.
The funding issue comes as security and governance in the province remain central to the federal government’s agenda.
No Discussion on Proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment
Addressing questions about a proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment, Sanaullah said no discussions had taken place and no draft had been presented.
His comments do not establish whether a proposal could be considered in the future; they reflect his account of the proposal’s status at the time of the briefing.
Political Debate Continues Over PTI’s Role
The latest remarks add to continuing tensions between the federal government and PTI over governance, security and the political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The government has called for political unity in counterterrorism efforts, while PTI has also publicly stated its opposition to terrorism and called for implementation of the National Action Plan. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan reiterated that position in remarks reported earlier this week.
The central issue remains whether political parties can agree on a common counterterrorism approach while continuing to disagree over governance and political authority.
