ISLAMABAD: JUIF Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday said that he had no desire to become the opposition leader in the National Assembly. Talking informally to newspersons here after his meeting with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at his Residence, Maulana Fazalur Rehman rejected an impression that the PPP delegation came to him to offer support for the slot of the opposition leader in lower house of Parliament.
“Neither have I any interest in occupying seat of the opposition in the National Assembly nor was there any discussion on this particular matter today,” he said. Fazalur Rehman said that he very well knew as to how many members they have in the House and would sit with those members on the opposition benches.
He also said that there was also no discussion in meeting with Bilawal Bhutto with regard to any constitutional amendment. The two sides discussed political matters and agreed to maintain contacts with each other.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman also accepted offer of Bilawal Bhutto to visit his residence in Islamabad. “It was an informal meeting without any particular agenda,” Fazlur Rehman said. To a question, he said that he would give a positive response if he is asked to play his role in Pak-Afghan peace dialogue. “National interests are our priority and will act accordingly,” he said.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman maintained that despite differences on policies matters, the JUIF leadership did not want that problems of Pakistan increase. “Pak-Afghan tension is not in interest of two countries,” he said.
He also questioned whether Pakistan’s previous policies on Afghanistan were correct. “Where is diplomatic depth if we want to fight with both Afghanistan and India,” he said. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad to discuss the prevailing political situation in the country.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was accompanied by senior PPP leaders, including PPPP Secretary General Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Secretary General PPP Humayun Khan and Jameel Soomro, Political Secretary to Chairman PPP.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman was joined by JUIF leaders Maulana Asad Mahmood and Mufti Abrar. During the meeting that lasted for an hour, the two leaders exchanged views on the current political landscape, national issues, and matters of mutual interest.
According to sources, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari consulted Maulana Fazlur Rehman over the government formation process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, during which the JUIF leader offered his advice and input on the matter.
