Presidential seal: JUI-F inches closer to PML-N orbit

Former K-P chief minister Akram Khan Durrani will represent party in the federal cabinet.

ISLAMABAD:

In the first palpable sign that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) is ditching its opposition seats in parliament and aligning itself with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz, President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday endorsed the appointment of Akram Khan Durrani as federal minister.

“President Zardari, on the advice of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has approved the appointment of Akram Khan Durrani, MNA, as federal minister,” said president’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar, citing Article 92(1) of the Constitution.

The move comes in the wake of a series of meetings between JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the premier. At their latest meeting the two leaders decided that Durrani would represent the JUI-F in the federal cabinet, sources at PM’s office told The Express Tribune.

Apparently Maulana Fazl also put forth his conditions regarding peace negotiations with the Taliban. The JUI-F chief demanded that the federal government keep him in the loop while finalising any plan to negotiate with Taliban.



Durrani had earlier served as chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal government from 2002 to 2007. One of the closest aides of Fazl, Durrani was elected as a member of the lower house in the May 11 elections.

Earlier this month, Fazl laid down his conditions for becoming an ally of the PML-N government. The JUI-F has now decided to shore up the government after getting Nawaz’s commitment on these issues.

The top priority issues that were shared with the prime minister by the JUI-F included approval of the recommendations by the Islamic Ideological Council (IIC), holding peace talks with the Taliban, establishment of a peaceful atmosphere in the tribal region and protection of religious seminaries.

“I, on behalf of my party, have discussed all the matters that were on our priority list and were of great concern for us. After getting a word from PM Nawaz Sharif, we have decided to join hands with the PML-N and my party will extend full support to government in every constitutional, legal and religious matter,” said the JUI-F chief when contacted for his remarks.

“The JUI-F is all set to assist the government in bringing Taliban to the negotiating table to initiate a peace process that will stabilise the country,” Fazl added.  “We also discussed the Balochistan issue, and the PM has conveyed a clear message that Balochistan problems can only be addressed by taking all stakeholders on board,” he said.

However, Maulana Fazl strongly dispelled the impression that his party was joining the PML-N led government for the sake of attaining ministries and privileges. “These matters are not important for us,” he added.


Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2013.