ISLAMABAD - Chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Maulana Fazlur Rehman discussed the overall political situation in the country with Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif with special reference to the protest plan of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf against the government.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman called on Prime Minister here at Prime Minister's House on Wednesday and also raised the issue of IDPs with him with strong demand for provision of maximum facilities to them in the camps.
Sources aware of the deliberations of the meeting informed The Nation that Prime Minister assured Maulana Fazlur Rehman that the government was taking all possible measures to facilitate the IDPs and would not leave them alone in difficult time.
He also informed JUI-F chief that government is preparing an elaborate programme for their rehabilitation after the successful completion of the ongoing military operation against the militants and also sought the input of Maulana Fazlur Rehman on this issue.
Sources further said that though Maulana Fazlur Rehman was not in favour of military operation and wanted a negotiated settlement of the issue, however, through tribal jirga, but he did not oppose the military option opted by the government to resolve the issue.
Sources in JUI-F said that by not opposing the military operation in North Waziristan Maulana Fazlur Rehman was doing a great favour to the government but on the issue of IDPs poor plight in the camps and the party would not compromise for which the party chief has shown his concerns to the Prime Minister.
Sources aware of the deliberations of the meeting informed that both the leaders also discussed planned agitation programme by the Opposition parties with special reference to the August 14 protest march announced by the PTI Chief Imran Khan.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that his party would not become part of any agitation plan aimed at derailing the incumbent political dispensation.
The sources further said that Prime Minister said that the country could not afford such protests at a time when the nation was fighting a full-scale war against the militants in Tribal Areas.