Bilawal, Fazl discuss Pak-Afghan talks

ISLAMABAD:

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the residence of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday for a meeting in which the two leaders discussed various issues including the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

According to sources, Bilawal was accompanied by Nayyer Bukhari, Humayun Khan and Jamil Soomro. JUI-F leaders Maulana Asad Mehmood and Mufti Abrar were also present in the meeting.

Sources said the leaders consulted on parliamentary matters, including forthcoming legislation and parliamentary cooperation.

They held detailed discussions on the role opposition parties could play in future lawmaking and also reviewed relations between the government and its allied parties.

The meeting also included an in-depth exchange on the situation in Afghanistan. Maulana Fazlur Rehman urged that the Afghan issue be resolved through mutual understanding. Bilawal assured Fazl that his proposals on Afghanistan would be conveyed to President Asif Ali Zardari.

“The Pakistan-Afghanistan tension is not useful for either country. Attitudes on both sides are becoming harsher; a flexibility in approach is needed.

“Creating a narrative and then promoting it is not a solution. Do we intend to fight with Afghanistan and also with India?” Fazl was quoted as saying. He also called for reflection on whether joining an anti-Afghan alignment had been the right course.

Source said Bilawal and Fazl agreed to continue dialogue on national and political affairs and to keep lines of communication open. The PPP chief invited the JUI-F chief to visit his residence, an invitation the Maulana accepted.

Sources quoted Fazl as saying that Bilawal’s visit was a gesture of goodwill rather than an agenda-driven meeting. “There was no discussion of any constitutional amendment,” he said, adding that he has no interest in becoming the leader of the opposition and that no such proposal was made.