Chaudhry Shujaat asks Maulana Fazl to refrain from opening 'Pandora's box'

PML-Q chief assures Fazl that he will soon discuss 'secret deal with him in detail'

LAHORE: PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has urged JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman not to open a new 'Pandora’s box' by making controversial statements regarding a “secret deal” that allegedly brought to an end his anti-government "Azadi March" protest last year.

Shujaat was apparently referring to the statements wherein the JUI-F chief had claimed that Chaudhry brothers -- Shujaat and Chaudhy Pervaiz Elahi -- were privy to the assurances that were given to him to call off his anti-government sit-in in Islamabad in October 2019.

Fazl had staged the two-week long sit-in to dislodge the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan, accusing him of coming into power through rigged elections.

While referring to the reconciliatory role played by Punjab Assembly Speaker Elahi and his elder brother Shujaat, Fazl had claimed that he had called off his protest after he was assured that the prime minister would resign, followed by fresh elections in the country.



Shujaat, who is also a former prime minister, in a telephonic conversation with the JUI-F chief on Saturday, sought his guidance for the resolution of Pakistan's woes in the ongoing “difficult times” and asked him to refrain from making controversial statements which could create uncertainty in the country.

“You [Maulana Fazl] are a son of a great father who played a vital role in making the country stronger,” the PML-Q chief was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his party.

The former premier also assured the JUI-F chief that he will discuss the “secret deal” in detail with him whenever he visits Islamabad and try to find its solution.

He reminded the firebrand cleric that the “nation has entrusted us to resolve their issues through joint efforts”.