The government has suffered a major setback as Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), has firmly rejected the proposed constitutional amendments and laid out his party’s stance on the issue.

On Wednesday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman visited the residence of PTI leader Asad Qaiser for a luncheon meeting, invited by Qaiser. The meeting focused on reviewing the progress on the constitutional amendment process.

Following the meeting, Asad Qaiser stated that Maulana Fazlur Rehman had completely rejected the draft amendments.

The luncheon was hosted by Asad Qaiser in honor of Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Former President Arif Alvi, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and other PTI leaders were also present.

Responding to a journalist’s question, Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that he had attended the luncheon because Asad Qaiser had “fed him well.”

Sources indicate that the luncheon meeting discussed the progress on the constitutional amendment process. The meeting also saw a discussion on the political situation, including the potential for unity between the two parties. The PTI legal team also visited Asad Qaiser’s residence and briefed participants on the meeting with the PTI founder.

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Speaking to the media after the meeting, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said he had rejected the draft constitutional amendments outright. He added that both parties have agreed to move forward with all matters through consultation.

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Qaiser expressed concern over the current state of the country, highlighting the precarious security situation, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He emphasized the need for the opposition to unite and raise their voices. He announced that a lawyers’ convention will be held in Lahore tomorrow, where all suggestions will be presented.

Qaiser also stated that the PTI and JUI-F will work together in Parliament.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman echoed these sentiments, stating that the JUI-F completely rejects the government’s bill. He asserted that the party has rejected the government’s draft in its entirety, demanding that the government present any alternative proposals for their review.

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He argued that there could be no greater betrayal of the nation’s trust than supporting the government’s proposed amendments. He claimed that supporting the government would have amounted to betrayal of the nation, as the proposed draft was unacceptable in any way.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that the government’s stakeholders had confirmed that the circulating draft was not the final version. He added that both parties had rejected the currently circulating draft.

Khan stated that there is no victory or defeat in politics and that the PTI had contacted Maulana Fazlur Rehman at the behest of the PTI founder. He clarified that the statement attributed to Maulana Fazlur Rehman in prison had no connection to the PTI founder.