Pakistan: Nawaz Sharif attempts to woo former ally JUI-F’s Fazlur Rehman, falls short

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Friday visited the residence of former ally and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to seek the latter’s support in the formation of the upcoming coalition government at the Centre as the latter abstained from the voting for speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly.

However, despite PML-N’s optimism, Fazl remained unconvinced and firm on his decision to stay out of the government.

The meeting took place in two segments, initially involving a private one-on-one meeting between Nawaz and Maulana Fazlur for half an hour. Subsequently, both Nawaz and Fazl joined the room where delegations from both parties were seated, the Express Tribune reported citing sources. PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah and Khawaja Saad Rafique joined the meeting along with JUI-F representatives Maulana Ghafoor Haideri, K-P Governor Ghulam Ali, and Noor Alam Khan.

The JUI-F has rallied against alleged rigging in the elections and remained adamant about staying in the opposition. The talks encompassed the political landscape of the country, with Nawaz extending an invitation to Fazl to join the PML-N at the national level. However, the JUI-F chief told the former PM about his grievances regarding the rigging allegations.

Leaders asserted that Nawaz managed to sway Fazl to a considerable extent despite conflicting stances. JUI-F’s Haideri confirmed progress in discussions but reiterated the JUI-F’s firm decision to stay out of the government. “We have made a significant decision, and we are committed to it,” Haideri told media.