ISLAMABAD - The ice of differences has somehow melted between the PML-N and JUI-F after the former has assured its participation in All Parties Kashmir Conference but the actual bone of contention prevails to keep Fazls party away from jumping into 'grand opposition alliance. The extensive lobbying by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) chief to mend ties with Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) appears to have nourished some fruit, finally. The PML-N leadership has reportedly said 'yes to the Kashmir conference following last weeks meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman in London. However, the differences between the two parties in the backdrop of Senates opposition leader row have not subsided. According to PML-N sources, during July 8 meeting, Shahbaz had assured Fazl that the PML-N would show up for APC on Kashmir. But in an indication that the path to reconciliation between both the parties was not without difficulties, the Punjab CM did not extend any invitation to the JUI-F chief for joining the 'grand opposition alliance. The meeting was held in 'cordial environment albeit. Regardless of the media reports that portrayed an altogether rosy picture regarding discussions between Sharif and Maulana for the formation of 'grand alliance, the reconciliatory politics between the two former coalition partners has to cover quite an extra mile. The JUI-F leaders confirm that Shahbaz did not invite the JUI-F as far as joining the opposition alliance is concerned. The framers of this grand opposition alliance campaign, I mean PML-N, have not contacted us so far. Mian sahib did not invite us for joining PML-N as opposition partner. The reports about reconciliation are restricted to media. On the ground, theres no progress, said Maulana Amjad Khan from JUI-F. He hinted that the PML-N leaders would participate in Kashmir moot. We hope they would be there. When approached on the same issue, JUI-F Secretary General Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said in a brief response, When they contact us, we would think how to respond. A reflection of the relatively constrained relations between the JUI-F and PML-N reverberated to the extent that Shabaz Sharif reportedly refused to hold a private meeting with Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman in London and met the latter in a social gathering instead, held at Pakistan High Commission. The 'peer pressure from some members of British-Pakistani and British Kashmiri community in London, who Shahbaz enjoys close association with, only paved the way for a meeting between the two leaders, with PML-Ns willingness to participate in Kashmir conference being the only worthy outcome, sans any other reconciliatory agenda. Maulana had manoeuvred to mobilise the 'peer pressure in London to bring PML-N top leader on the table. Whether the 'cold war between both the opposition parties over the issue of Leader of Oppositions appointment in the Parliaments upper house sees a dtente would be determined in future political discourse.