Fazl-ur-Rehman extends APC invitation to opp leaders

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ISLAMABAD: In telephonic conversations with the major opposition leaders on Sunday, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman formally extended the invitation for the proposed All Parties Conference (APC), scheduled to take place on June 26.

The JUI-F chief called Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, President Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, amongst others.

Reportedly, Rehman couldn’t contact with Balochistan National Party (BNP) Chairman Akhtar Mengal as he was abroad. Mengal’s party is a coalition partner of PTI in the Centre.

Rehman claimed that Mengal has assured him of his presence at the APC. Earlier on June 14, Mengal hinted at joining hands with the opposition, saying the party will “not be able to remain with the government if political issues in Balochistan remained unresolved”.

BNP has also summoned a party meeting to discuss the decision regarding the APC.

A day earlier, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday said that the joint opposition will decide about the charter of the economy in the APC.

Addressing the media at Parliament House, where he had been taken by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to attend to the National Assembly (NA) budget session, he said that no single party will decide about the charter of the economy and a decision will be taken after consensus from all political parties.

Rehman announced to host an APC on June 26. The conference, which will host the representatives of opposition parties to formulate a joint strategy for future course-of-action against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, was convened after consultation with incarcerated former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.