LAHORE: The Chaudhrys of Gujart preferred not to discuss ‘Azad March’ with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman when he called on them at their residence here on Friday as they were not given the mandate by Prime Minister Imran Khan to do so.

Maulana Fazl visited Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) president Chaudhry Shujaat Husain and Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi and inquired after his (Shujaat’s) health. The visit is significant in the current political situation since the PML-Q is an important PTI ally at Centre and in Punjab.

JUI-F’s Talha Mahmood, Maulana Abdul Haideri and Maulana Amjad, federal minister Tariq Bashir Cheema and PML-Q MNAs Moonis Elahi and Salik Hussain were present during the meeting.

Sources in the PML-Q told Dawn that Chaudhry Shujaat did not discuss JUI-F’s ‘Azadi March’ since the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leadership, especially Prime Minister Khan, had not given him the mandate to hold talks with Maulana Fazl on the issue.

“Maulana Sahib had come to inquire after the health of Chaudhry Sahib who preferred not to take any initiative on his own in this regard,” a PML-Q leader said, adding that the JUI-F chief had old relations with the Chaudhrys and had great respect for them.

“Since the PTI leaders have been mandated for holding talks with Maulana Fazl, the Chaudhry brothers preferred not to bring this matter in their discussion with him,” PML-Q leader said, adding that the JUI-F chief also held a separate meeting with the Chaudhry brothers for 45 minutes.

Jamaat-i-Islami leaders Liaquat Baloch and Dr Farid Piracha also called the Chaudhry brothers, inqu­ired after the health of Chaudhry Shujaat and discussed the prevailing political situation in the country.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2019