—— Shehbaz, Fazl decide to move forward through consultation and cooperation in a meeting at for-mer’s residence
—— Both leaders discuss free and fair elections
—— Maintain on keeping the alliance soild ahead of elections
—— PDM Chief had earlier lashed out at allies for demanding early elections
From Abid Usman
Lahore: Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif met with the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Amir and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman at the former’s residence on Wednesday.
The meeting took place amid reported differences between the former coalition partners over date of next general elections in the country.
Yesterday, Fazl lashed out at the PPP and PML-N, saying that the two parties had approved the results of the new census in a cabinet meeting and now that new constituencies were being demarcated un-der it, they wanted immediate elections.
The Maulana also opposed conducting the general elections in the month of January, saying that the weather in the northern areas of the country would be extremely cold and voters would face difficul-ties in reaching polling stations in such harsh conditions.
According to details, both leaders in today’s meeting discussed the overall political situation and ex-changed views on transparent, free, and fair elections. They also decided to move forward through consultation and cooperation, emphasising that the nation can overcome crises through unity.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed good wishes for the return of PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif to the country. Shehbaz Sharif, during the conversation, acknowledged the cooperation provided by the Maulana in saving Pakistan from a sovereign default.
He highlighted that the political parties did not just think about their politics during the last 16 months but aimed to save the state, saying that Pakistan can emerge from crises through unity, consultation, and shared action.
The PML-N president stated that after Nawaz Sharif’s return, the political and democratic system of the country would become stronger.
Fazlur Rehman mentioned that Nawaz Sharif’s return is good news for Pakistan, and the truth is now revealed that the three-time prime minister was targeted for political revenge.
He said that the former premier and his family were unjustly persecuted, and this dark and regrettable chapter will remain a black mark in the country’s history.
He said that Nawaz Sharif had accepted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) mandate in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa but was ousted from the political system. Labelling political leaders as criminals was a game of political engineering, he added.
The meeting was also attended by PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal, former National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and PML-N leader Ataullah Tarar.
