ISLAMABAD: An agreement was reached in principle on Thurs­day between Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Reh­man, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas to form a “united opposition”, a spokesperson for the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) said in a statement.

The JUI-F chief met the opposition leaders in the National Asse­m­bly and Senate in the opposition cha­­mber at Parliament House in Isl­­­­amabad, where they discussed the country’s current political situation, parliamentary affairs, cooperation among opposition parties and future political strategy, it said.

The participants in the meetings expressed concern over the “government’s attitu­­de and behaviour towards the op­­position in the Nat­ional Assembly and Senate”, it added.

According to the opposition alliance, the meeting also considered the “policies being adopted by the government, the role of the opposition in parliament, and the future strategy for protecting the Constitution and democracy”.

“Fazl and Achakzai also exch­an­ged views on making contacts am­­ong opposition parties more effective and adopting a joint strategy at the parliamentary level,” it said.

Moreover, it was agreed to continue “further consultations among opposition parties and formulate a joint course of action”, it elaborated.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media after the meeting, the JUI-F chief said that today’s meeting was the first between the opposition parties and that they had decided that a “united opposition would be formed”.

He added that contacts among the opposition parties would be strengthened and a joint strategy would be finalised.

“The matter of holding an All Parties Conference should also be discussed,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2026