Shehbaz, Fazl trade light banter in NA

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman engaged in an unusually candid and light-hearted exchange on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz told the House that he would never disclose his private discussions with the JUI-F chief, saying in a lighter tone that he would decline to accept Maulana Fazl's permission to reveal the contents of those talks.

The exchange took place after Shehbaz arrived in the House during Fazl's speech. He crossed over to the opposition benches to greet opposition leaders, including Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Gohar Ali Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Latif Khosa, Hamid Hussain and others.

Later, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari approached the prime minister's seat and greeted him. Members welcomed the prime minister by thumping their desks as he entered the House.

Shehbaz Sharif was responding to a point raised by Fazl, who questioned whether former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had not delivered speeches against a former army chief during public rallies in the past.

Shehbaz Sharif said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman was highly respected by everyone and that he personally enjoyed excellent relations with him. He remarked that he often visited the JUI-F chief to pay his respects.