Growing rift: JUI-F set to join opposition benches

Party disagrees with approach on crunch questions.

ISLAMABAD:

A key government ally, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, is close to ending its alliance with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz as it mulls over joining opposition benches due to growing frictions on major issues.

With resignations of JUI-F ministers still pending the president’s approval, a senior member of the party ruled out rapprochement. The move comes as both parties have failed to iron out differences on ‘controversial’ legislation, including the Pakistan Protection Ordinance (PPO), National Internal Security Policy (NISP) and particularly the procedure adopted for peace talks with the Taliban.



The JUI-F had joined the treasury benches earlier this year after months of intense negotiations with the PML-N - only to part ways six months later, citing fundamental differences over policy matters.

Commenting on his party’s departure from the coalition, JUI-F spokesperson Jan Achakzai said even though his party supported the PML-N government, “we will not be part of any suicidal decisions made by the government.”  “The PML-N should not consider the JUI-F as its proxy, it would be a miscalculation” he added.

At a time when the government is faced with a myriad of challenges, the decision by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to join the opposition benches is likely dent the PML-N’s position in the Senate, where the party has a weak presence.

Taking a swipe at the rising tension between the government and the military leadership, another JUI-F leader said, “It seems the PML-N administration is trying to deliberately antagonise the harmonious civil-military relations”.

“Even an issue as sensitive as peace talks was used to gain leverage against the armed forces,” he added while speaking on condition of anonymity.

Asked whether the JUI-F had any role in the peace talks, particularly with reference to the influence the party wields in Waziristan, Achakzai said, “A onetime engagement with the Taliban cannot be termed peace talks.”

On the other hand, cognisant of the consequences of losing an ally, the government has intensified efforts to lure the JUI-F back into its camp.  According to sources familiar with the development, PML-N leader Capt (retd) Safdar, who heads the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA), met with Maulana Fazl in DI Khan along with Akram Khan Durrani.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2014.