Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Sunday urged the PTI and other political parties to come together to back the “charter for a stable Pakistan”, saying the initiative had become more crucial than ever after last night’s border escalation with Afghanistan.
According to a statement by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), nighttime skirmishes between Kabul and Islamabad broke out on the night of October 11 and 12, after “Afghan Taliban and Indian-backed militants launched an unprovoked attack along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.” Pakistan said its forces responded decisively, killing more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged Afghanistan to stop the Fitna-al-Khawarij – a term the state uses for militants linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – saying the group operates from Afghan soil. Kabul, however, has denied any involvement.
Addressing a press conference in Faisalabad today, Sanaullah said that given the current circumstances, when the stability of the country was more important than anything else, all political parties needed to take a unified stand.
“Right now, I tell the PTI leaders: you can continue criticizing us and chanting slogans against the government by all means, but you must support Pakistan, its armed forces and its martyrs,” he said.
“If you support Pakistan and the armed forces, a way forward will open up for you.”
The PTI has opposed the resumption of military operations, arguing that they have repeatedly failed to curb terrorism and have only displaced civilians, fueling resentment in the affected areas. The party insists that militancy must be addressed through dialogue and governance reforms rather than force, and warns that further offensives without a political strategy could further destabilize Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A day earlier, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had attacked the PTI-led KP government for “facilitating terrorists, sowing division and undermining national security”.
Sanaullah said that at this crucial juncture, the political leadership must fulfill its responsibility and invited other parties to also join the ‘charter for a stable Pakistan’, or ‘Misaq-i-Istehkam-i-Pakistan’, a concept introduced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to lay the foundation for greater national interest.
“I call on all political parties, political leaders and all parliamentarians, whether they are members of the provincial assemblies, members of the National Assembly or the Senate.
“I invite and ask you to accept the request made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Independence Day that we support the Charter.”
He said nation-building had become more important than ever due to the circumstances. “Come and unite around the ‘charter for a stable Pakistan’ and discuss the proposals that the prime minister has presented,” he stressed.
Speaking about the escalation with the Afghan Taliban forces, he said: “Today we have dealt a blow to a hidden and disgraced enemy. We have given the enemy, who was apparently attacking us from the shadows, a crushing response.”
He said that thanks to the brave policy of Field Marshal Asim Munir and the bravery of the armed forces, “the entire nation witnessed this honorable moment which they had not seen in about 78 years.”
‘The TLP should suspend the protest’
Meanwhile, Sanaullah also urged Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to call off its protest in the larger interest of the country.
Last week, the party started a march towards Islamabad from Lahore to express “solidarity with the Palestinians”. Protesters breached security and engaged in violent clashes, leaving more than four dozen police officers injured. Protesters have since camped in Muridke, their path blocked by trenches dug along the GT Road.
“They should postpone this protest, put an end to it,” Sanaullah said. “The Gaza march, in fact, comes at a time when the issue has been resolved, to a large extent, in fact largely, through diplomatic efforts, and that unilateral slaughter that was taking place there is about to end.”
He said the march should have been an expression of solidarity with the current government of Pakistan and, in particular, Field Marshal Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz.
“[You should express solidarity with] the bravery with which Pakistan presented its position at the UN and condemned the atrocities being committed against the Palestinian people,” he said.
“Not even Europe could persuade the United States, but it is Pakistan’s leaders who asked the United States to play its part and end this unilateral slaughter.”
He said that since the protest had turned violent, it was time to call it off.
“A situation has arisen where all senior religious leaders, especially Maulana Fazlur Rehman of the JUI-F, have shown concern,” he said.
“You may not hear us [the government]but your respected leader [Khadim Hussain Rizvi] He was always with the country; Therefore, you should cancel this.”
