ISLAMABAD - As the gulf of differences between PML-N and JUI-F is widening on some issues, the ruling party has assured its coalition partner of resolving 'at least' the portfolio issue pertaining to lawmakers in coming days.
The religio-political party (JUI-F) lawmakers who were inducted in the federal cabinet after showing strong concerns would now get portfolios in a couple of days, said sources in JUI-F sharing the crux of discussions between the allied partners.
In this regard Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed had a meeting with the Chief of JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rahman on his request. Sources said that JUI-F chief had not pushed the ruling clique's legislators to award 'powerful' ministries but he expressed desire for ministry of communication and housing & works for their party's legislators including Akram Durrani and Maulana Ghafoor Haideri.
Recently, the JUI-F has been treading on deviated path from the federal government's policy, as it has expressed strong reservations over the contents of National Internal Security Policy (NISP) (2014-18) relating to religious seminaries.
The religious party had not only opposed the idea of army's representation in peace talks but also distanced itself from peace talks, expressing serious reservation on PM Nawaz Sharif for not taking JUI-F into confidence on different important matters.
Sources said the JUI-F chief was also taken into confidence about the progress of ongoing peace talks issue.
When contacted, JUI-F spokesman Jan Achakzai said Maulana Fazl lauded the PM's efforts and stance on peace talks.
The leaders discussed the ongoing dialogue process with the Taliban and appreciated Maulana Fazl’s stance.
They also assured Maulana that PML-N genuinely wanted to resolve the issue through talks. They said the dialogue will not be used as a ruse for military operation. They also assured that people of Fata will also be taken on board at some later stage.
The sources said that Maulana will likely be meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in next couple of days in Lahore.
When contacted, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that they discussed issues relatting to the coalition government. "It was a routine meeting, as we met him on his request," Dar added.