Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of PDM and emir of ruling coalition partner JUI-F, met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif yesterday. Rehman emphasized the necessity of timely dissolution of assemblies and prompt general elections. His son, federal minister Maulana Asadur Rehman, also attended the meeting.
Rehman regretted accepting government control after PTI’s regime was ousted last year, terming it a political misstep advised by PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari. This discussion followed recent meetings between PPP and PML-N leadership in Dubai, which reportedly displeased Rehman as he was uninvited due to his stance against election delays.
JUI-F spokesman, Mohammad Aslam Ghauri, refuted claims of Rehman’s dissatisfaction with the Dubai meetings, blaming media distortion. He acknowledged the party’s right to reservations about the discussions, as they were not informed about them.
Discussion regarding election
During Rehman’s meeting with PM Sharif, the JUI-F emphatically stated its disapproval of election delays. After PTI’s government fell, the party advocated for immediate elections. However, Rehman admitted that the actual political consequences of assuming the government would be revealed in due course.
Rehman praised PM Sharif’s recent remarks about dissolving assemblies but voiced concerns about PML-N cabinet members suggesting election delays. No comments were received from PML-N leaders regarding JUI-F’s stance.
The meeting also included a consultation on the current political situation, where PM Sharif acknowledged the role of coalition partners in economic recovery and negotiations with the IMF. The JUI-F leaders praised the PM’s response to the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden, denouncing the act as regrettable.
