Rana Sanaullah Urges Opposition to Unite Against Terrorism, Calls for Political Dialogue

Published: October 20, 2026

Pakistan’s government has urged opposition parties to put aside political differences and work together against terrorism, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly ready to invite all political stakeholders for discussions on a joint counterterrorism strategy.

Rana Sanaullah, the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, made the appeal while speaking during a Senate session on Tuesday. He stressed that national security should be treated as a shared responsibility rather than a source of political confrontation.

The government’s appeal comes amid growing tensions between the federal administration and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), particularly over security policy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Rana Sanaullah Calls for National Unity Against Terrorism

Addressing the Senate, Rana Sanaullah said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was prepared to invite political parties and other stakeholders to discuss the country’s terrorism challenge.

He urged opposition leaders to set aside other demands and focus on finding common ground on national security.

Sanaullah also referred to the consensus that had supported earlier counterterrorism efforts, including Operation Zarb-e-Azb. He argued that cooperation between political parties and state institutions was essential to addressing security threats.

His remarks reflected the government’s position that political disagreements should not prevent parties from working together against militant violence.

Government Seeks Cooperation From PTI

The government has repeatedly called on PTI and the KP administration to cooperate with federal counterterrorism policies.

During the Senate discussion, Sanaullah criticised the opposition’s approach to security operations and questioned the refusal of Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas to meet the prime minister or use the National Assembly speaker’s office for discussions.

He said the government remained willing to engage with opposition representatives, provided that national security issues could be discussed separately from other political demands.

However, negotiations between the government and PTI have faced significant obstacles, with both sides holding different positions on political conditions, security measures and the future of governance in KP.

Khawaja Asif Advises PTI to Move Beyond Social Media

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also weighed in on the political situation, saying that voices within PTI were emerging in favour of pursuing politics rather than confrontation.

Speaking to Geo News at Parliament House, Asif suggested that the party could benefit from moving beyond what he described as the influence of social media.

His comments highlighted a wider debate in Pakistan about the role of online political campaigns in shaping public opinion, intensifying disagreements and influencing relations between political parties.

Social media remains an important platform for political communication in Pakistan, allowing parties to reach supporters quickly. However, critics argue that online confrontations can sometimes deepen divisions and make negotiations more difficult.

The challenge for political leaders is to use digital platforms responsibly while keeping communication channels open for dialogue.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Security Situation Remains a Major Issue

Security policy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has become a central point of disagreement between the federal government and PTI.

Federal officials have argued that effective counterterrorism efforts require cooperation between Islamabad and provincial authorities. They have also raised concerns about the need for a coordinated response to militant threats.

PTI, meanwhile, has opposed federal measures affecting the province and challenged the government’s actions, describing them as politically motivated.

The disagreement has complicated efforts to establish a common political position on security operations.

Analysts say that cooperation between federal and provincial authorities is important because security challenges require coordination among law enforcement agencies, intelligence services and local administrations.

Why Political Dialogue Matters for Pakistan

Political negotiations can provide an opportunity for rival parties to discuss security concerns, clarify policy differences and develop areas of agreement.

A joint approach to counterterrorism could help improve coordination between government institutions and strengthen public confidence in security policies.

However, meaningful progress would require both the government and opposition to engage constructively, acknowledge legitimate concerns and avoid allowing political disagreements to prevent cooperation on urgent national issues.

Dialogue does not necessarily require political parties to abandon their differences. Instead, it can create a framework for addressing national challenges while preserving democratic debate.

What Happens Next?

The government’s latest appeal places renewed emphasis on dialogue and cooperation against terrorism. Whether it leads to formal talks will depend on the willingness of political stakeholders to participate and agree on an agenda.

PTI and the federal government continue to face disagreements over security policy and political matters. A meeting between the relevant parties could provide an opportunity to address these differences, although no specific outcome should be assumed until an agreement is announced.

For now, the government is calling for a united response to terrorism, while opposition leaders face pressure to determine how they will engage with the proposed discussions.

Conclusion

Rana Sanaullah’s appeal for opposition cooperation reflects the government’s push to build political consensus against terrorism. Khawaja Asif’s comments about PTI and social media add another dimension to the ongoing political debate.

The key question is whether Pakistan’s political leadership can separate national security priorities from partisan disputes and establish a constructive path towards cooperation. The outcome could influence both political relations and efforts to address the country’s security challenges.

Sources: Geo News, Dawn and The News International, reporting published October 20, 2026.