Rana Sanaullah, the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, has said the government could agree to release Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and his detained sisters. He added that people held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could also be freed. Speaking on a television current affairs programme, Sanaullah said the government had no intention of pursuing politically motivated or retaliatory action against anyone.
He also brushed aside speculation about a possible change in the political setup, saying the government faced no threat. Sanaullah denied that there were any backdoor contacts with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He did acknowledge, however, that some people had occasional informal interactions with party members.
Government signals possible release of detained figures
Sanaullah said Bushra Bibi and Khan’s sisters were eligible for release, in his words. He also said that “the release of detained individuals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also possible.” He did not give a timeline for any such decision.
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The adviser’s comments came as the party remains at odds with the authorities over the detentions of its leaders and supporters. Sanaullah framed the possible releases as part of a broader approach rather than a response to pressure.
Sanaullah questions corruption claims against Punjab and Sindh
Sanaullah responded to remarks by Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain about alleged corruption in Punjab. He said the minister himself had admitted he had no evidence to back his claims. According to Sanaullah, Salik had said corruption had filled cupboards but had failed to produce proof.
Sanaullah said allegations of corruption were frequently levelled against governments in all four provinces, and that rumour-mongering was widespread in the country. He said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had challenged Salik to prove even a single rupee of corruption. He described the federal minister as no challenge to the provincial administration.
He also referred to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s remarks on corruption allegations in Sindh. Bilawal had described such claims as propaganda, Sanaullah said, and had suggested that the Sindh chief minister write to the relevant institutions seeking an audit of the project concerned. Sanaullah added that ignoring propaganda could sometimes be the wiser course.
Punjab aircraft purchase defended as provincial asset
The adviser defended the Punjab government’s purchase of an aircraft. He said it had been bought with the provincial government’s own funds and was now a government asset. Sanaullah maintained that Maryam Nawaz had not acquired the aircraft for personal use, noting that chief ministers in other provinces also had aircraft.
“Does Punjab not have a large enough budget to own an aircraft when other provinces have them?” he asked.
No threat to government, says Sanaullah on new provinces
Sanaullah rejected speculation about a new political arrangement. He said people were constantly looking for opportunities and preparing themselves to become alternatives. He said there was nothing wrong with aspiring to be a suitable alternative, but insisted the government was not under threat.
He also dismissed reports about the creation of 12 provinces. He said the authority to establish new provinces rested with parliament. Sanaullah said those reporting the proposal had not explained where they obtained their information, and that no minister had raised the matter in the cabinet, among colleagues or in parliament. Until such a proposal reached the appropriate forum, he said, it remained a matter of speculation and debate.
Sanaullah said the government did not want confrontation with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He expressed hope that Fazlur Rehman would support the new administrative arrangement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in its efforts to combat terrorism. He said reports of a new arrangement were largely fuelled by rumours and people seeking opportunities.
