(Karachi) Railways Minister Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed revealed that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had held one-on-one meetings with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on few occasions.

The railways minister's revelation comes a day after DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar made a startling statement that former Governor of Punjab, Muhammad Zubair, held two meetings with the army chief to seek relief for Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz.

Addressing a press briefing in Faisalabad on Thursday, he said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman wants to ignite sectarian violence in the country.

He said both the PML-N and PPP are making efforts to strike a deal with the government to get relief in their corruption cases. However, he stated the prime minister and the COAS had made it clear that the process of accountability will continue.

He said that members of opposition parties will not resign as they have different interests and goals. "If they agree to resign, we will hold elections the same day," he pointed out.

Rasheed highlighted that the PML-N and PPP have brought the country on brink of destruction. "They looted country's wealth inflicting damage to the economy."

Regarding PML-N senior leader Muhammad Zubair's claim of having friendly relations with the army chief, he said: "It is all lies. Zubair met General Bajwa for the first time in 36 years."

The minister said, "I am ready to confront the PML-N leader on any platform if he says I am wrong."