Fazl agrees to support ‘national reconciliation’ efforts for political stability

• "Fazl is a national leader who can bring national reconciliation." 
• Fazl to discuss reconciliation agenda with parties: sources. 
• Efforts will be made to create consensus on national agenda.

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to bring political stability to the country, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has agreed to play a leading role in national reconciliation, The News has learnt.

According to sources, Fazl, who also heads the multi-party alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), has supported the idea of playing a role in political dialogue among key stakeholders at the suggestion of former senator Muhammad Ali Durrani.

Durrani called on the PDM chief at his residence in Islamabad on Tuesday and the meeting lasted for two hours.

When contacted, Durrani told The News that PDM chief had agreed to play a leading role in national reconciliation. “Fazl is a national leader who can bring about national reconciliation,” he said.

According to sources, Fazl will discuss the agenda of reconciliation with the national leadership in the coming days. In the first phase, efforts will be made to create a consensus on the national agenda for reconciliation among the political parties.

It may be mentioned here the PTI has already agreed to the agenda of national reconciliation while former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had also announced national reconciliation at the Minar-e-Pakistan rally on October 21.

Meanwhile, according to a press release issued by the Central Media Cell of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, former federal information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani met JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and offered condolences on the death of his mother-in-law.

In the meeting, the country’s political situation, upcoming elections and other issues were discussed.

Earlier this month, President Arif Alvi called for ending “bitterness” to pave the way for “cooperation and forgiveness” among the stakeholders in a meeting with Durrani.

Durrani held a third meeting in one month with President Alvi which is part of his efforts to reduce political temperature in the country.

Urging free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections, President Alvi emphasised that all political parties and their leadership should be given equal opportunities to participate in the election process to strengthen democracy in the country.

The president was of the view that there was a dire need for political, institutional and stakeholder unity in the country to battle the difficulties on all possible fronts, including that of economy.