Opposition Leaders Set Meeting With Fazlur Rehman Amid Political Talks Push

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan’s opposition alliance has scheduled a meeting with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as political parties intensify consultations following renewed calls for dialogue between the government and opposition.

The opposition delegation is expected to visit Fazlur Rehman at his residence on Tuesday.

According to people familiar with the planned meeting, the delegation will include PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.

The final timing of the meeting is expected to be determined after Barrister Gohar returns from Adiala.

The leaders are expected to discuss the political and security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prospects for renewed negotiations with the federal government and other parliamentary matters.

The planned consultation comes at a sensitive point in Pakistan’s political standoff after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif renewed his offer of talks with the opposition.

Shehbaz has called on PTI to end its long march and sit-ins, saying the government is prepared to return to political dialogue if the protest campaign is called off.

Opposition leaders, however, have continued to insist that access to jailed PTI founder Imran Khan remains critical before another round of substantive negotiations can move forward.

The latest outreach to Fazlur Rehman could therefore play a role in shaping a broader opposition response to the government’s offer.

JUI-F is not a new participant in these opposition consultations.

A PTI delegation comprising Barrister Gohar, Salman Akram Raja and Asad Qaiser met Fazlur Rehman in September as opposition parties sought greater coordination on political, constitutional and parliamentary issues.

JUI-F subsequently agreed to participate in a multi-party opposition conference, while discussions also covered the opposition’s protest strategy and the need for consultation among political parties.

The latest meeting is expected to revisit those issues against the backdrop of the current PTI protest campaign and the breakdown of recent government-opposition negotiations.

Both sides have blamed each other for the failure of those negotiations.

The opposition says consultation with Imran Khan and differences over security policy were among the unresolved issues, while government representatives maintain that substantial progress had been made before opposition demands prevented a final agreement.

Despite the continuing dispute, recent statements from both sides suggest that the possibility of renewed negotiations remains open.

The outcome of the meeting with Fazlur Rehman could provide further indication of whether opposition parties are moving towards a coordinated negotiating position or intend to maintain pressure through the ongoing protest campaign.