ISLAMABAD  - Syed Khursheed Shah, leader of opposition in the National Assembly, for putting weight in his proposal about reducing the tenure of the government to four years even outreached the incumbent government's allied partner Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) to deliberate on the matter.
Shah has arranged a meeting with religio-political party (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss this burning issue with him.
The opposition leader, who still has not received any response from ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), in its consultative process sought Fazl's opinion about his proposal for reducing the government's tenure.
"Shah received a satisfactory response from Maulana Fazlur Rehman, but the religious party leader will get back to him with final nod after consulting his party members," PPP sources shared with The Nation.
Sources said that both the leaders also discussed 'Tsunami March' threat to the government, issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other matters.
Talking to The Nation, Khursheed Shah said that he met JUI-F chief to discuss some important matters. However, he avoided commenting about his consultation with Fazl about his recently floated proposal for reducing one year in the government's tenure.
"Appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC) will amicably be resolved," said the senior PPP leader, adding that he was consulting opposition parties about the appointment of chief election commissioner. "I will soon meet with MQM senior members to consult the matter of CEC," Shah informed.
On the other hand, JUI-F spokesman says Shah took Fazl into confidence on issues of new election commissioner's name and his proposal of reducing the tenure of assembly to four years. "Maulana assured him to discuss these proposals within the party and give him a positive response," said the religio-political party's spokesman.
Earlier, Shah on Tuesday last introduced a new proposal that tenure of the government should be curtailed to four years after the completion of the incumbent government's five years. "This change will end all the conflicts," he said.
Meanwhile, the leader of opposition strongly condemned the act of putting the name of former Chairman NADRA Tariq Mailk on exit control list (ECL) on the behest of the federal government. "The government's performance is under question and criticism is being made on the issue of thumb impression verification of ballot papers," he said.