PM Shehbaz Sharif Seeks Renewed Partnership with JUI-F Chief Fazlur Rehman

Prme Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his desire to re-establish close cooperation with JUI-F Chief Fazlur Rehman. In a recent meeting, Sharif requested Rehman's guidance, but the JUI-F leader reiterated his party's unchanged stance. The encounter follows a series of high-level political meetings aiming at potential collaborations amid Pakistan's turbulent political environment.

In a move to reestablish political alliances, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his desire to work closely again with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader, Fazlur Rehman. According to sources cited by ARY News, Sharif visited Rehman's residence in Islamabad and sought the JUI-F chief's guidance.

'We want to work together again, just like we did in the past,' said PM Shehbaz Sharif. 'We request you to guide us once more,' he added. In response, Rehman remarked that his party's position remained unchanged, suggesting that it is Sharif who has altered his path. JUI-F sources indicated that they've sent a clear message to the prime minister about their stance.

ARY News reports that during the meeting, PM Shehbaz Sharif inquired about Rehman's health and well-being. This meeting comes just after President Asif Ali Zardari's visit to Rehman on August 24, following a delegation from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that sought cooperation with Rehman on August 23.

The PTI delegation's meeting with Rehman aimed at mending differences and exploring potential collaborations amid a politically disturbed atmosphere. Discussions included the possibility of forming committees to facilitate joint efforts. PTI has expressed its willingness for in-house cooperation within Parliament, indicating that their joint efforts with JUI-F could pose significant challenges to the government.

It's important to note that before the 2024 general elections, Fazlur Rehman was a critical ally of PML-N and PPP under the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a coalition that successfully removed former Prime Minister Imran Khan from office through a no-confidence motion in 2022.

(With inputs from agencies.)