Chaudhry Shujaat congratulates Fazl for 'stealing the show'

ISLAMABAD: PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain spoke to JUi-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday and congratulated him for 'stealing the show' with his Azadi March. 

According to sources, the PML-Q chief spoke to Fazl over the phone and congratulated him for putting up a good show in Islamabad. 

"Congratulations, you've managed to get the leader of the two biggest opposition parties to recognise you as their leader," he reportedly told Fazl. 

Shujaat urged Fazl to correct the wrong impression that had been caused by his statement involving the army. He also lashed out at PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif. 

"Shehbaz has no place in the dharna," Shujaat reportedly told Fazl. "He became leader of the opposition by accident. You are the real opposition leader," he added. 

Shujaat urged Fazl to resolve the crisis through reconciliation, keeping in mind the national interest of the country. 

Also read: Azadi March live updates

"Try to resolve the crisis through reconciliation, you have the capability to do so," he was quoted as telling the JUI-F chief. 

Elahi speaks to Fazl

Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi contacted JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday and urged him to resolve the current standoff through reconciliation.

According to sources, Fazl and Elahi both spoke over the phone and discussed the Azadi March standoff.

Sources from the JUI-F said that Fazl gave a positive message to Elahi.

Elahi is also a member of the government's negotiating committee which is being led by Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak.

Read more: Pervaiz Elahi speaks to Fazl

Azadi March background:

Thousands of protesters have converged on the federal capital under the banner of the Azadi March, seeking to send packing Prime Minister Imran Khan packing.

The ‘Azadi’ March caravan, which set off from Sindh, left Punjab’s city Lahore on Wednesday and culminated its journey Thursday night in Islamabad.

Opposition leaders delivered fiery speeches against the PTI government on Friday, giving the prime minister a 48-hour ultimatum to resign.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman gave Prime Minister Imran two days to step down, failing which the protesters may march on to the PM House, 'force' the prime minister to step down, and 'arrest' him.

The government announced on Saturday that they would approach the courts over Fazlur Rehman's statements, accusing him of "instigating the people" and rallying them for 'mutiny'.