Talal Chaudhry accuses Fazlur Rehman of ‘seeking share’ in KP setup

Federal Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has criticised Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his opposition to governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), accusing him of treating the new administrative arrangement as an opportunity to secure a share in power.

Speaking about the federal government’s decision to impose governor’s rule in KP, Chaudhry addressing media in Jaranwala said the arrangement was introduced solely to combat terrorism and not to accommodate political parties or establish a new coalition government.

On October 11, 2026, President Asif Ali Zardari, acting on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice, imposed an emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, suspending the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government headed by Sohail Afridi. The federal government cited deteriorating security conditions, rising militant attacks and the provincial administration’s alleged failure to cooperate on counterterrorism efforts. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi assumed executive authority, assisted by an 11-member advisory council, while a separate administrative arrangement was established for 12 districts. The measures followed failed negotiations between Islamabad and PTI amid tensions over a planned march demanding former prime minister Imran Khan’s release.

PTI condemned the intervention as politically motivated and an attack on provincial autonomy, rejecting allegations of links to militancy. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also criticised the decision. The federal government maintained that the measures were temporary and intended to restore security rather than establish a political government.

“We had not expected this from Maulana Sahab. You are treating this as spoils of war, thinking that since PTI is no longer there, you should be given your share, while others are demanding theirs. These are not spoils of war,” he said.

Chaudhry maintained that the federal government had made repeated attempts to secure political cooperation on counterterrorism before taking the decision.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had personally considered Fazlur Rehman’s proposal for another round of negotiations, with the matter discussed by the federal cabinet.

According to Chaudhry, the prime minister had discussed the proposal both the previous night and after Fajr prayers, but subsequent contact with the JUI-F chief failed to produce a breakthrough.

“After Maulana Sahib also failed, this step was taken,” he said, referring to the imposition of governor’s rule.

Talal questions Fazlur Rehman’s election claims

Chaudhry also challenged Fazlur Rehman’s criticism of the 2024 general elections, saying the JUI-F chief had lost to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other political parties.

He questioned why Fazlur Rehman was raising the events of 1971 in connection with the election results.

“You remembered 1971 after losing the 2024 elections. This happened a long time ago,” Chaudhry said.

The minister said he held Fazlur Rehman in high regard but disagreed with his political position.

“Your stature does not warrant such bitter remarks,” he said, urging the JUI-F chief to support Pakistan’s constitutional and national interests.

Chaudhry also rejected allegations that governor’s rule had been imposed to facilitate the extraction of mineral resources from KP.

He questioned how invoking Articles 232 or 234 of the Constitution could automatically enable mining activities, particularly in areas where insecurity had restricted public movement and business operations.

Government denies plans for political coalition in KP

Chaudhry insisted that the administrative arrangement was not intended to redistribute political positions or provide opportunities for coalition-building.

“This arrangement is not for anyone’s share, for politics, for forming a coalition or for establishing a government,” he said.

He said a woman whose husband and father-in-law had been killed in terrorist attacks had been included in the administrative council to represent the families of martyrs.

Chaudhry maintained that the council had been constituted on professional grounds and would remain in place for the shortest possible period.

He also criticised PTI founder Imran Khan for previously proposing that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) be allowed to establish an office in Peshawar.

“Even after the negotiations failed, the PTI founder said that they should be allowed to open offices. He said that if they were to be allowed to open an office anywhere in Pakistan, we would offer them one in Peshawar,” Chaudhry said.

The minister referred to previous attempts to negotiate with PTI leaders, saying Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had held numerous meetings with provincial representatives.

He said the government had been willing to accommodate PTI’s political demands but insisted that counterterrorism cooperation could not be compromised.

Chaudhry added that the National Action Plan would be implemented in letter and spirit, with the federal government seeking to restore the political process in KP as soon as possible.