PTI's parliamentary body to mull over 'concessions' today.

Byline: Syed Irfan Raza

ISLAMABAD -- The federal government on Sunday welcomed Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's decision to avoid marching towards D-Chowk in the sensitive Red Zone or surrounding Prime Minister House and expressed the desire to meet all demands of opposition parties, except PM's resignation, through dialogue for the country's betterment.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated that he would never give National Reconciliation Ordinance-like concession to leaders of the opposition parties facing corruption cases.

'We are ready to give face-saving to Maulana sahib,' said Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan at a late-night press conference along with Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri when asked if the government would facilitate the return of protesters from Islamabad.

The government apparently adopted the policy of carrot and stick; Dr Awan on one hand hailed the JUI-F chief's decision, but on the other she criticised him for 'challenging the writ of the state' and 'tarnishing moderate and progressive face of the country by using a religious card and instigating students of seminaries against the government'.

'The prime minister is determined to meet democratic demands of the opposition through dialogue process,' she said, adding that PM Khan would chair a meeting of the parliamentary committee of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Monday (today) to decide what concessions could be offered to the opposition.

PM's aide hails Fazl's decision to avoid marching towards D-Chowk

'We welcome that Maulana sahib has withdrawn his ultimatum to march towards D-Chowk. Come and sit with us if you want electoral and parliamentary reforms but we will never let the state become hostage,' she said.

Earlier, the prime minister had tweeted: 'The opposition only wants to hear three letters from me, NRO.' But he added that granting any relief to the opposition parties would amount to treachery with Pakistan. He vowed that he would never utter those three letters as it would amount to 'treachery with the country'. He said the country could not be put on road to progress unless the 'corrupt' opposition leaders were held accountable.

Dr Awan, however, hailed the leadership of the two main opposition parties - Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) - for staying away from participating in the JUI-F's sit-in and said...