The refusal by the Maulana has triggered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to restart efforts to win over the support of Maulana Fazl. Hence, PTI-backed candidate for the slot of President, Mehmood Khan Achakzai has decided to meet the Maulana to win over his support for the opposition candidates.Sources privy to the development said that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman flatly refused to support the ruling coalition for the election of the prime minister during his meeting with PML-N quaid Nawaz Sharif.
The sources said that the Maulana also refused to another request by Nawaz Sharif to join the coalition government in Balochistan Province, saying that he would not be a part of the government formed with a ‘stolen mandate’.
While confirming the development, PML-N’s Senator Irfan Siddiqui has said that even if Maulana Fazlur Rehman does not vote for Shehbaz Sharif in the prime minister’s election, his party would still want the JUI-F chief to support them in running the government.
Siddiqui also claimed that the PML-N’s coalition partner PPP would not only stand with them in the parliament but in the cabinet as well.
It merits mention here that only a day after his coalition comrades rallied behind PML-N’s Shehbaz Sharif for the top executive post in the country, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had tossed a political curveball, rejecting the “rigged” election results while extending an invitation to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to join him on the opposition benches instead of chasing government dreams.
“We will not endorse Shehbaz Sharif as the prime minister candidate in parliament, as our party has prohibited him from forming the government. Therefore, we will not be part of any government. Those who believe in the rigged nature of elections should join our cause, while others can choose to remain indifferent.”
Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman arrived in Karachi on Saturday to attend JUI-F Sindh’s meeting in Korangi on Sunday.
According to Deputy Secretary Information JUI Sindh Maulana Samiul Haq Swati, the general secretary of the Sindh chapter of the party, Rashid Mehmood Soomro, and other leaders welcomed the chief who has arrived in the metropolitan on a three-day visit.
Swati said that the “important” meeting tomorrow will include the members of all the districts of JUI Sindh where Fazl will give an important address regarding election rigging.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman will give instructions to the officials of JUI Sindh, Swati said, adding that Fazl will also address a press conference.
