Amid talks with govt, opp decides to continue protest.

slamabad: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Monday said they are closer to 'achieving their objectives', adding that the sit-in will continue until the demands are met.

"We are close to achieving our objectives," he said following a meeting of the Pervaiz Khattak-led government committee and the opposition's Rehbar Committee.

JUI-F leader Akram Khan Durrani the government's negotiating committee and opposition's Rehbar Committee held a detailed discussion during which the opposition reiterated its demands regarding the Azadi March. He said the two sides will meet again on Tuesday at 3pm after the government body discusses the opposition's demands with its leadership.

The meeting was held following an all-parties conference of the opposition parties which unanimously decided to continue with the protest in the federal capital. JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman chaired the meeting where all the opposition parties discussed the future course of action.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal, earlier, announced that party president Shehbaz Sharif will not attend the all parties conference, and the party delegation will instead be led by former NA speaker Ayaz Sadiq. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also didn't attend the APC as he was holding a rally in South Punjab. Party leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Nayyar Bukhari, Naveed Qamar and Farhatullah Babar were, instead, in attendance.

During the APC, Fazl told the leaders of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) that insignificant gains should not be preferred over the challenges of the country's people. "Today, the opposition parties have decided that we will plan the future strategy for the Azadi March, not you," said the JUI-F supremo after the APC, in an indirect message to the ruling PTI.

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