With Maulana Sherani's term coming to an end this year, the government has geared up the consultation process for the appointment of a new chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).
Sherani, who has refused to seek extension as the CII chairman, is likely be replaced by Barrister Zafarullah, the government-backed candidate for the slot.
Sources close to the development say while the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) is lobbying for Maulana Attaur Rehman, Professor Sajidur Rehman is also considered a favourite.
Other names being considered are: Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, Mufti Imdad Ullah, Allama Arif Wahdi, and Hanif Jalandhari.