The deadlock between the government and the opposition continues to persist on Wednesday despite hectic efforts by the Chaudhry brothers, as JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman sticks to his stance on resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan and fresh elections in the country without any role of the army.
Several rounds of talks have been held between the government negotiating team headed by Defense Minister Pervez Khattak and Rahbar Committee of the opposition headed by Akram Khan Durrani, since the Chaudhry brothers - Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chauhdry Pervez Elhai - stepped in to persuade Mualana Fazlur Rehman to show flexibility on his demand of Prime Minister Imran Khan's resignation and to find a 'middle ground'.
However, sources familiar with the talks revealed that no breakthrough has been made so far. After the JUI-F chief's meeting with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chauhdry Pervez Elhai at their residence on Tuesday night, Elahi reached the residence of Maualan Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday for another round of talks, but both the leaders left without formally talking to media.
In a brief chat with reporters on insistence, Elahi claimed a 'positive progress' in the talks between the government and opposition regarding the 'Azadi March'. "Several processes are simultaneously underway but that any breakthrough will require patience and hard work. I consider this my own home and we are trying hard to settle the things," Pervez Elhai said while leaving the residence of the JUI-F chief.
It was followed by a meeting of the government negotiating team at the residence of Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser in which Pervez Elaqhi was tasked to convey the government side's proposals to the JUI-F chief.
The sources said that Pervez Elahi is expected to meet Maulana Fazlur Rehman late on Wednesday night to hold further discussions on the set of proposals finalized by the government side to end the political standoff.
Earlier, Maulana Fazlur Rehman called on PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi at their residence at late night on Tuesday.
Talking to reporters after his meeting with the Chaudhry brothers, the JUI-F chief said he believed in meaningful talks.
"The government should come up with practical proposals if it wants to resolve the issues. Our basic demands should be accepted after which talks can also be held on others," the Maulana said, adding that Imran Khan is not a bigger leader than Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. "If Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had re-elections why can't Imran Khan?" he asked, adding: "We don't want to drag in the establishment".
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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