Establishment ready to get restricted to their roles if country moves on ‘right track’: Sanaullah

The incumbent leadership of the establishment was ready to get restricted their roles if the country moves on the right track economically and politically, Rana Sanaulla, the prime minister’s adviser on political and public affairs, said on Monday.

“I say this with utmost belief and complete information that the current establishment has no personal agenda,” he said while appearing on Spot Light with Munizae Jahangir aired on Aaj News. “These people have no personal agenda.”

He was responding to a question of whether he believed or not that the incumbent establishment had a role in politics.

In the recent past, opposition leaders have expressed concerns over the role of apolitical forces in the country’s politics. On Sunday, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman demanded that all institutions, including the Armed Forces of Pakistan, should stick to their domain and play their role according to the Constitution.

“The whole nation is standing beside the army for the country’s defence, but interference in political matters is against their oath and Constitution that we cannot accept,” he had told reporters.

In the past, Sanaullah claimed that some people in the establishment’s leadership “had 11 years or 10 years agendas. Some even had a whole life agenda.” But he reiterated that the incumbent establishment’s leadership has no other agenda than stability.

What is holding PML-N supremo back?
When asked what was holding PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif back amid lack of media presence, he said: “Nothing is holding him back.”

According to Sanaullah, the situation was very relevant for any development. The gist of his response was that it matters to do “the right thing at the right time”, which was relevant in politics.

He shunned a perception that the apolitical forces were willing to accept Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif but not Nawaz, prompting the latter to remain absent from key developments like budget sessions.

The PM’s adviser stated that it was Nawaz who nominated his younger brother for the post of premier.

Sanaullah gave a diplomatic response when asked to whom lawmakers listen. “As lawmakers, they listen to the PM and as party leaders they listen to the PML-N president.”

He went on to add that the PML-N has never shied away from talks, blaming the PTI for not sitting on the negotiating table to resolve issues.

Sanaullah clarified that there were no backdoor talks with Fazl and both the PML-N leadership’s meetings were held with the JUI-F chief where concerns were discussed.