As Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman gears up for his Azadi March, the government has also intensified its efforts to ensure that opposition draws least support for its protest scheduled to be held on October 31 in Islamabad.

As part of government efforts, Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri and Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Haider Zaidi on Saturday met with Muti Naeem, the administrator of Jamia Binoria Karachi.

Opposing what he said involvement of madrassa students in politics, the cleric said it would not send a good message to the world.

Later, Ali Haider Zaidi also shared on Twitter a video of his meeting with Mufti Naeem.

Meanwhile, opposition parties have also intensified criticism of the government ahead of the protest.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Ahsan Iqbal was deeply skeptical that government was sincere in holding talks with JUI-F.

He said on one hand ministers were talking about dialogues while on the other the prime minister was launching verbal attacks.

Pakistan People’s Party Maula Bux Chandio said the government was afraid of the JUI-F march. He said the government would not survive whatever it chooses to do.