Fazl rules out formal opposition alliance, keeps door open for issue-based cooperation

LAHORE: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday ruled out a formal opposition alliance but kept the doors of cooperation open for collaboration on individual issues. “There is no concept of a formal alliance in the opposition… that’s typically a feature of the government,” the religio-political leader said while addressing a press conference after his party’s Majlis-e-Shura meeting in Lahore. The JUI-F and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have been holding consultations in recent months to possibly forge an alliance against the government, in the wake of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan’s call to his party to strengthen contacts with opposition parties. The rift between the two parties deepened after PTI leader Azam Swati said on April 12 that Imran Khan had tasked him with holding talks with the establishment. Commenting on this, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza said, “It is unacceptable to expect us to form a political alliance while simultaneously maintaining undisclosed contacts with the establishment.” He criticised the PTI leadership for failing to offer any clarification on the matter.