Shahbaz finally lends 'full' support to JUI-F march.

Byline: Zulqernain Tahir

LAHORE -- After a much-awaited meeting with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief MauAlana Fazlur Rehman, PakisAtan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shahbaz Sharif on Friday finally announced his party's 'full support and participation' in the JUI-F's 'Azadi March' on Oct 31 in Islamabad.

'We will welcome the Maulana sahib in Islamabad on Oct 31 and present our demands in the public meeting there,' Shahbaz Sharif declared at a joint press conference along with the Maulana at his residence in Model Town here.

Mr Shahbaz said the PML-N had been given instructions by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to participate in the JUI-F's march as the whole country wanted to send the 'selected PTI government' packing.

Mr Shahbaz, however, parried questions about his 'poor' health and 'differences' with his brother and the party's supreme leader, Nawaz Sharif, over the PML-N's 'full participation' in the march.

Fazl, Ahsan rule out talks with govt without PM's resignation; Nawaz briefed on PML-N's meeting with JUI-F

Briefing the media about his meeting with Maulana Fazl, the opposition leader in the National Assembly said: 'We discussed the prevailing situation in the country, sinking economy, unprecedented inflation and price hike, dwindling investment, and its impact on the common man whose life has become miserable in the PTI regime.'

Holding Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team responsible for the country's economic woes, Mr Shahbaz said despite having 'full support of all institutions', Mr Khan had failed to deliver. 'The institutions supported Imran Khan hoping that the country will start progressing, but that never happened. Now Imran Khan is trying to shift the blame of his complete failure on the institutions,' he said. Had that kind of support been given to any other government, Pakistan would have been on the road to progress.

While demanding fresh elections, Mr Shahbaz said: 'If the PML-N comes to power [after the polls], we will stabilise this 'ruined economy' within six months.'

'This government should be sent home at the earliest, followed by new elections,' he reiterated the demand before announcing that they would hold rallies on Oct 27 to express solidarity with the Kashmiris.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman thanked the former premier, PML-N president and other leaders for their support to the 'Azadi March'.

'Today the PML-N decided in principle to participate in the march. The PML-N's participation will consolidate our...