Coalition govt: PML-N, JUI-F inches away from deal

Both sides will have another round of talks today.

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Maulana Fazlur Rehman-led Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) are inches away from sealing a deal on their future political partnership, it has been learnt.

Sources told The Express Tribune on Wednesday that negotiating committees from the two parties have discussed issues in detail and are likely to reach a conclusion in the next meeting. Both sides would have another round of negotiations today (Thursday).

“The PML-N side has agreed to give the JUI-F the ministry of Kashmir affairs,” sources added. However, they could not evolve a consensus on JUI-F’s second demand: role in Balochistan government.

The meeting of the negotiating committees continued till late night. The JUI-F team was led by Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri while Senator Parvez Rasheed headed the PML-N team. Both committees would convey the meeting’s outcome to their respective leaderships.

“Our impression is that the PML-N wants to have an inclusive government. However, as they say that the taste of the pudding is in eating. But Nawaz Sharif has clearly shown his willingness to take Maulana Fazl along,” said JUI-F spokesman Jan Achakzai.

The PML-N had invited the JUI-F to join the coalition at the centre despite having a simple majority in the National Assembly. However, the latter is reluctant to only join hands with the PML-N in the Centre, it is also calling for a share in the Balochistan government. The JUI-F has won six seats in the provincial assembly in the May 11 elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.