Maulana Fazl refutes reports of talks with govt

Abdul Ghafoor Haideri is not engaged in negotiations, JUI-F chief assures ANP

Maulana Fazlur Rehman. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE

PESHAWAR:
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has refuted reports that his party, which has announced an anti-government protest dubbed as 'Azadi March' by the end of this month, was engaged in any talks with the government.

The denial comes amid rumours that Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, who is also a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government's negotiation committee, had approached JUI-F leader Abdul Ghafoor Haideri for negotiations and a meeting between the two leaders was scheduled for today (Sunday).

“I strongly deny reports of negotiations with the government. Abdul Ghafoor Haideri is not engaged in any talks with the government,” Fazl told chief of Awami National Party's (ANP) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chapter Aimal Wali Khan during a telephonic conversation.

The government on Saturday said the opposition parties’ refusal to come to the negotiating table meant that they were working on an anti-Kashmir agenda and warned that the state will enforce its writ if they went ahead with the rally.


Don't force our hand, Khattak warns opposition

JUI-F chief has refused to call off his October 31 anti-government march, backed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and ANP among other opposition parties, alleging it of coming into power through rigged election.

Fazl accused the government of spreading the disinformation to create the confusion among the opposition parties, maintaining that the decision of negotiations with the government would only be taken by the joint opposition’s Rahber Committee.

Aimal Wali, during today's conversation, reiterated his party’s unwavering support to the JUI-F's march, saying: “Come what may, ANP will participate in the Azadi March as directed by the party chief, Asfandyar Wali.”

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