Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday announced to join Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) government in the Centre. The announcement was made after an hour-long meeting held here at the Prime Minister's House between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman. During the meeting, both the leaders discussed matters relating to the overall domestic political situation, the inclusion of JUI-F in the centre and the law and order situation.
According to an official handout, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated that the enormity of challenges being faced by the country demanded unity among the people and co-operation among political parties. He said that he would welcome any suggestion that would be in the greater good of the people. Sources claimed that when the JUI-F chief, after congratulating the prime minister on his election, asked about progress on his party's wish list, the prime minister said that he and his party were still considering the wish list and would soon respond positively in this regard.
Sources claimed that Maulana Fazl had sought federal ministries, besides the chairmanship of a National Assembly standing committee. Sources said that the PML-N leadership was considering granting chairmanship of the National Assembly standing committee on foreign affairs in the first phase, adding that allocation of ministries would be considered in the second phase.
JUI-F spokesperson Jan Achakzai maintained that matters of ministries had not cropped up in the meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He said that his party was supporting PML-N unconditionally for strengthening democracy. He said that JUI-F had not yet been given any government post.