ISLAMABAD: Efforts to win back Maulana Fazlur Rehman went in vain when the JUI-F chief rejected a request by President Asif Ali Zardari to reconsider his stance over restoration of Nato supply lines.

Sources said Zardari had telephoned Rehman and invited him to the Presidency to discuss issues like the Nato supplies and the bill on domestic violence.

The meeting was also attended by Senator Raza Rabbani, Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman and Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani.

The JUI-F sources said during the meeting Rehman stood by his stance over the matter.

He said restoration of the supply lines whether conditional or unconditional was against the country’s interest.

The JUI-F chief, however, summoned his party members later today to discuss his meeting with Zardari and to deliberate over available options on the issue.

Rehman had earlier rejected Zardari’s telephonic request to reconsider his view point.—PPI/DawnNews