IN the backdrop of growing concerns about continuation of political tension in the country, the Government has initiated moves to placate the opposition as part of the strategy to cool down temperature and promote national reconciliation. Accompanied by some heavy weights of his team, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the residence of JUI(F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss the overall political situation. And in a related development, there are also reports that the government has approached veteran politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai to help initiate direct talks with the PTI, maybe behind-the-scenes if it suits the party.
There was no authentic version of what exactly the PM’s meeting with the JUI(F) leader was aimed at and what actually transpired but the contact assumes significance as a week before President Asif Ali Zardari also met Maulana Fazlur Rehman sparking speculations that the government authorities wanted to enlist support of the party for some important legislation. There have been rumours about moves to extend the tenure of the incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa in view of the peculiar circumstances but this has been denied by informed government leaders and there are also reports that the CJP is also not interested in extension. Some circles also claim that the legislation has something to do with the security situation of the country as consistent efforts are being made by anti-State elements, backed by some external forces, to derail the ongoing process of reforms, growth and development. There is also a viewpoint that the government is worried about prospects of an opposition alliance and the renewed contacts with the Maulana are aimed at luring him away from the PTI. In fact, JUI(F) feels more comfortable with parties like PML(N) and PPP and it was pushed towards the PTI because of ‘unconcerned’ attitude of the ruling coalition, which believed that the Maulana was asking too much price for his support and cooperation. However, nothing can be said with certainty about growing political contacts including those with the PTI but these are the need of the hour as the country cannot progress in a highly polarized environment. All political parties and players must demonstrate flexibility in their attitude as solo flights would neither benefit the government nor the opposition (if and when it comes to power).
