Courted by opposition, Fazl plays host to Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led a government delegation on Thursday to meet Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence.

Neither the PM media office nor the JUIF spokesman released details of the meeting. However, a brief statement issued by both sides stated that national and political affairs came under discussion during the meeting.

The PM enquired about health of Fazlur Rehman and the Maulana thanked his guest for his visit and expressed best wishes for him. Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar were also present on the occasion. Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman, Maulana Asad Mahmood and party’s spokesman, Aslam Ghouri, also attended the meeting.

Fazlur Rehman, while talking to the media at the Parliament House two days back, came down hard on the government, saying that problems of the country would multiply if decisions were taken at the forum of the establishment, insisting that the government should sit with politicians.

“The government should not go to such an extent that no way out is left for politicians. The country’s system cannot function if the matters are decided by a few individuals,” he added.

Separately, PM Shehbaz Sharif Thursday ordered for expediting the process of privatisation of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and ensuring its completion within the stipulated timeframe, reiterating that the government had nothing to do with doing business.

He issued these directions while presiding over a review meeting in Islamabad on the task management system, designed to monitor the process of privatisation of the government departments.

“I will not allow further losses in SOEs that are wasting the valuable resources of Pakistani people. The government’s role is not to run businesses but to create policies and provide facilities for business and investment,” he stated.

The PM said that the process of privatisation of designated departments should be accelerated without compromising transparency. He said the services of reputable lawyers should also be hired to remove legal hurdles in the process. “I am personally overseeing the privatisation efforts, and no delays will be tolerated,” he added.

Shehbaz said privatisation of departments was part of the government’s ‘Uraan Pakistan’ initiative. He said the government’s job was not to run business, but to take policy measures and facilitate business and investment.

The PM said: “We are rapidly advancing towards improving economy due to timely and necessary reforms. We have to work collectively for development of Pakistan.”

During the meeting, the PM was briefed about task management system for privatisation.

The meeting was apprised of the timeframe for privatisation of various departments. It was informed that privatisation of the federal government’s departments had been divided into three phases. Privatisation of 10 departments would be ensured in the first phase, 13 in the second phase, and privatisation of remaining departments would be carried out in the third phase.

Federal ministers Abdul Aleem Khan, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Ahad Khan Cheema and senior officials attended the meeting.

Also, PM Shehbaz Sharif spoke to Prince Rahim Aga Khan on Thursday to express his “deepest condolences on the passing of His Highness the Aga Khan IV”.

In a social media post, the premier termed the deceased Aga Khan “a true friend of Pakistan, who illuminated many lives with his visionary leadership.” His contribution to global development, education, health and humanitarian efforts would always be remembered, he said in his message.

The prime minister also announced that Pakistan would observe a national day of mourning on Saturday. “Expressing profound grief on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan on the sad demise of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the Prime Minister has declared a day of national mourning in Pakistan on Saturday, the 8th of February, 2025, on the occasion of the funeral of His Highness,” said a notification, issued by the Cabinet Division.

The national flag will fly at half-mast throughout the country on the day, added the notification. Earlier, the GB government declared three days of mourning following the passing of the Aga Khan.