Political Tensions Rise: Sharif Invites JUI-F Chief Amid Coalition Strain

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif invites JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to join the ruling coalition and resolve political tensions, but Rehman declines. The coalition government, supported by the PPP, faces internal strife, especially over budget preparations. PPP expresses concern over being sidelined by the PML-N-led government.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended an invitation to his former ally, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, to rejoin the ruling coalition led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The move aims at addressing the ongoing political tensions within the country, a media report indicated Friday.

Sharif, who leads a coalition government supported by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other smaller parties, visited the residence of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader to inquire about his health on Thursday, according to the Dawn newspaper. Additionally, Sharif proposed forming a committee to address the prevailing political issues and invited Maulana Rehman to join the ruling coalition.

However, Maulana Rehman declined the offer, a JUI-F spokesperson revealed. 'I don't think it's true that the JUI-F will join the government. Seeking power is not part of our politics,' the spokesperson stated. Rehman had earlier led the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) during the PTI government of Imran Khan. Internal tensions have recently surfaced within the coalition government, with the PPP alleging that the PML-N excluded them from budget preparations.

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