DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Dec 15: Federal Minister Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind held a meeting with the leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, at his residence here on Wednesday.

Mr Rind came to Dera Ismail Khan by a special plane, carrying what sources said an important message from the federal government. JUI (F) deputy general secretary Maulana Attaur Rehman, MNA, was present during the meeting.

It was learnt that the federal minister discussed with Maulana Fazl the MMA's anti-government movement and asked him to withdraw the protest schedule. The sources said that Maulana Fazl turned down the government's request and made it clear to Mr Rind that the MMA would hold its public meeting at Liaquat Park, Rawalpindi, on Dec 19 as per schedule.

He told the minister that the religious parties' alliance would not accept the president in uniform at any cost. The meeting continued for an hour.