Nawaz reaches out to estranged ally Fazl, seeks cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Disgruntled JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman Friday scored a big political win after PMLN Quaid and former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif called on him to win him over, facilitating the formation of government in the Centre.

Nawaz, whose party is waiting in the wings to head the next coalition government, visited the residence of Fazlur Rehman here.

During the meeting between the two political heavyweights, JUI-F leaders including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and Noor Alam Khan were also present.

Fazl’s party, which is adamant on sitting on the opposition benches, has refused to accept the Feb 8 election results, claiming that they were rigged. Nawaz sought Fazl’s support in the formation of the government in the Centre.

JUI-F, a traditional ally of PMLN and Pakistan Peoples Party, has refused to vote for the prime minister and president and also abstained from voting in Friday’s election for the National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker.

“Have faith in Allah... [You will receive] good news,” PMLN’s Khawaja Saad Rafique, who was part of the PMLN delegation, told a journalist after the meeting.

The election for the post of prime minister will take place on Sunday and Shehbaz Sharif is all set to be elected as the government’s top boss; the party has secured enough votes and looks in a comfortable position.

Talking to reporters, PMLN leader Rana Sanaullah said he would reveal the details of the meeting later. However, he was hopeful of a positive outcome. “I’ve already stated that Maulana is our leader and we’ve faced tough situations together. We have always received guidance from him and we wish for that process to continue,” he said.

He said Nawaz did not visit Fazl to seek votes; however, sources told Geo News that he was there to secure the JUI-F’s support. “They spoke about the ongoing political situation during their one-on-one meeting and must have reached some result in the meeting,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a closely related development, PMLN and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan Friday managed to reach an understanding after hectic political activity. An agreement was reached between the two parties in parliament on a constitutional amendment and for solution to problems being faced by Karachi.

Following the signing of the agreement between the two sides, the MQM leadership agreed that its parliamentarians would sit on the treasury benches, becoming a part of the government.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, MQM leader Dr. Farooq Sattar confirmed that an MoU had been signed between two sides with focus on the constitutional amendment to give cover to empowerment of the local government system.

MQM-Pakistan proposed 26th constitutional amendment, agreed to by the PMLN, through which it wants to amend Article 141A of the Constitution for certain provisions to ensure uniformity, continuity and certainty of the local government institution. Through the proposed amendment, MQM-Pakistan wants to ensure a certain level of devolution of political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to make these institutions, viable and effective tools of local governance in line with the aspirations of electorate.

According to the draft of 26th amendment for which an MoU was signed with PMLN on Friday, MQM-P wants to amend Article 141 A of the Constitution and proposed insertion of new articles.

The PMLN is in complete agreement with MQM-P on spirit, objective and need of constitutional amendment for establishment of autonomous and empowered local governments as envisioned in MQM-P’s constitutional amendment bill, the agreement said.

The agreement bears signatures of Chaudhry Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Saad Rafique and Rana Sanaullah Khan. From MQM-P, Syed Mustafa Kamal, Dr. Farooq Sattar and Khawaja Izharul Hasan signed the agreement in the committee room number two of Parliament House.

Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Friday said Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQMP) will get a chance (on the posts) where there was no discussion with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and an agreement was not reached.

He was responding to question in a conversation with the media at the Parliament House.

When a journalist asked Bilawal that it was being said that his party had objections to the continuation of Kamran Tessori as the governor of Sindh, the PPP chairman said, “We have no such thing related to any individual.” He said PPP’s discussion with PMLN on where the governors would be posted had been finalised.

Meanwhile, PMLN leader Atta Tarar Friday condemned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) for its double standards in accepting the election results. Speaking to a private news channel, he condemned the PTI’s political gimmicks and emphasized that such double standards had no place in politics. “Accepting victories but resorting to blame games in provinces where they face rejection is illogical.”

Tarar stressed the need for stability and continuity in democracy to overcome the uncertainties facing the country and to ensure economic stability. He urged for an end to accusations and blame games and called for moving forward together. He said PMLN was in talks with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan, and every possible step would be taken to address the concern of Maulana. He was optimistic about reaching a breakthrough with JUI-F very soon, he determined.