Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and head of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), has embarked on a trip to London where he is scheduled to meet with Nawaz Sharif, the supremo of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N). The purpose of their meeting is to discuss the current situation in the country, according to sources cited by Geo News.
During his visit to London, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, along with engaging with his party workers from different cities, will hold discussions with Nawaz Sharif, his political ally. The discussions are expected to center around the ongoing political unrest in Pakistan.
This visit comes at a time when the country is experiencing one of the most turbulent periods in its political history, with the ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), facing a mass exodus of members and a clampdown following the protests that took place on May 9.
The arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan on May 9 in connection with a £190 million settlement case, as well as the subsequent violent protests, resulted in widespread chaos. Supporters and workers of the PTI resorted to storming and setting fire to state installations across the country. The aftermath of these protests has witnessed a significant number of party leaders leaving the PTI.
The protests, which lasted for nearly three days, resulted in the loss of at least eight lives and left dozens injured. In response, the coalition government suspended internet services and deployed army troops to restore law and order.
The PTI-led government launched a crackdown to apprehend those responsible for the acts of vandalism against the defense and public properties. The country’s civil-military leadership, vowing to hold the rioters accountable, stated that they would be prosecuted under relevant laws, including the Army Act.
Since then, several PTI leaders, including close aides of Imran Khan, have announced their resignation from the party in the aftermath of the May 9 violence. Some have attributed the attacks on military installations to Khan’s policies.
The latest prominent figure to leave the party is Ali Zaidi, the PTI’s Sindh President, who recently announced his resignation from politics and stepped down from his party positions.
As the political unrest continues to unfold, Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s meeting with Nawaz Sharif holds significance in the broader context of opposition parties seeking to challenge the ruling PTI. The outcomes of their discussions may have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of Pakistan.