According to Dawn, federal ministers have invited opposition parties to set aside political disputes and establish a national consensus on counterterrorism operations. Speaking in the Senate, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is willing to meet with all political leadership to determine a unified approach to combating terrorism across the country.

What happened

According to Dawn, the offer for talks follows the federal government's decision on October 11 to enforce emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The move, which was later endorsed by Parliament, was initiated after federal officials accused the former PTI-led provincial government of disengaging from security efforts and failing to cooperate on counterterrorism strategies. Both Sanaullah and Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry renewed calls for opposition unity, asserting that national security should transcend political rivalries.

Key facts

  • Sanaullah stated that previous negotiations between the federal government and PTI collapsed over PTI's refusal to fulfill its obligations regarding counterterrorism support.
  • Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai was criticized by federal officials for declining to meet the Prime Minister or recognize the speaker's authority.
  • Chaudhry stated that emergency rule in KP was necessitated by the former provincial leadership's lack of cooperation regarding cross-border infiltration and policy on Afghanistan.
  • To support security operations, advisory councils composed of local tribal elders have been set up across 12 districts in KP.
  • Federal ministers contrasted KP with Balochistan, noting that Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has actively collaborated with federal institutions and security forces.

Why it matters

According to Dawn, the call for consensus comes amid rising political tensions and security challenges in the region. Talks prior to the imposition of governor's rule had broken down due to disagreements over security oversight, Afghan Taliban policy, and protests demanding the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Federal authorities maintain that full collaboration between provincial administrations, federal agencies, and the military is essential to sustaining security operations and restoring long-term peace.

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Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 20, 2026 · Photo by Vlad Deep on Unsplash