JUI-F Clarifies Stance Amid Meetings with PTI and Government Leaders

JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza emphasizes the party's decision to protest on selected issues independently, avoiding participation in PTI-led demonstrations, despite multiple high-profile meetings with PTI and government officials.

Senator Kamran Murtaza of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) emphasized that his party would independently choose issues to protest and would not join any demonstrations organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan-based Dawn reported. Despite multiple meetings between their senior leaders, cooperation will be on an 'issue to issue and agenda to agenda' basis.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari met JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who had declared a 'solo flight' against the government. Zardari engaged with Rehman after he reportedly agreed with Imran Khan's party to strategize on challenging the government.

During his visit on Friday, Sharif sought Rehman's support and discouraged any agitation against the government. Political experts linked the meeting to upcoming National Assembly and Senate sessions, suggesting potential offers were made to the JUI-F chief.

Senator Kamran Murtaza described the meetings with Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari as being 'more social than political,' although political conversations took place.

Murtaza confirmed that JUI-F clarified their stance during discussions with PTI leaders, including Senator Shibli Faraz, Lawyer Gohar Khan, and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser. 'We made it clear how far we would go with them,' said Murtaza, stating that JUI-F would continue its independent protests without joining PTI's demonstrations.

(With inputs from agencies.)