DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Pakistan Peoples Party chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari along with a delegation on Wednesday met Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his native home in Abdulkhel here to offer condolences on the death of federal minister for religious affairs Mufti Abdul Shakoor.

Abdul Shakoor had died in a road accident in Islamabad on April 15.

Adviser to the prime minister on Kashmir affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira and state minister for poverty alleviation and social safety Faisal Karim Kundi also accompanied the PPP chairman.

Bilawal Bhutto and his delegation were welcomed by Maulana Ziaur Rehman at the helipad in Abdulkhel. The foreign minister expressed grief with JUI-F leadership over the tragic death of Mufti Shakoor.

He prayed to the Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace. Bilawal Bhutto also conveyed a special message of former president Asif Ali Zardari to Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

They also discussed the matters pertaining to proposed talks between Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the ruling coalition of Pakistan Democratic Movement.

Sources said Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly opposed the talks with PTI, but most of the other allies demanded considering the talks proposal put forward by Bilawal Bhutto. They said Bilawal Bhutto reached Dera to pursue Maulana Fazlur Rehman to accept his proposal of holding talks with PTI.

The meeting also stressed the need for strengthening democracy and the positive constitutional role of all the institutions.

Geopolitical situation of the country, especially the challenges faced on internal and external fronts, were also discussed. Besides, the performance of the PDM government during the last one year was also reviewed.

The meeting also discussed the steps taken to remedy the damage caused to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor during the PTI regime.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2023