PML-N invites JUI-F to join government in Centre
17 May, 2013
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday invited Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) to join its government in Centre while turning down the latter's offer to form a coalition government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where its rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has emerged as the largest party in May 11 polls.
PML-N's central leader Shahbaz Sharif extended this offer to JUI-F chief Fazlur Rahman in a meeting here in which they thoroughly discussed the formation of government in Centre and provinces. The PML-N has secured 124 seats in the National Assembly, whereas the JUI-F took ten seats in the recent elections.
Although Shahbaz claimed that his party has secured simple majority in the National Assembly after independents joined its ranks, but for the broader national interest it has invited the JUI-F to join it in the Centre.
However, both sides diverged on the formation of government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Fazl insisted on installing a coalition government, but the PML-N supported PTI in forming its government in the province where it is the leading party.
Sources privy to the meeting told our sources that Fazl contended that if the PTI was allowed to form provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa it would further damage the two parties, and for the political interests of both the parties, Imran Khan-led PTI should be prevented from forming the government.
"PTI has fake mandate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and we do not accept it in the province," Fazl said.
However, Shahbaz replied that not accepting the mandate of PTI would create a bad impression and might hurt the credibility of both parties.
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