Fazl snubs JI amir’s alliance proposal

Asks Sirajul Haq why he didn’t consider the idea in 2013

PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulama-e-Islami (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has given a cold shoulder to Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Sirajul Haq’s idea of forming an alliance of religious parties.
Addressing a news conference after a meeting of the party’s central council on Sunday, he asked JI amir Sirajul Haq why he did not consider forming an alliance in 2013.

“JI rejected us in 2013 and is now offering an alliance after realising their mistake,” Fazl said. He also announced that his party has formed a committee, headed by Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, to look into matters of alliances for the 2018 elections.

Talking about the committee, Fazl said that the committee has been mandated to meet with all parties – religious and political – to form a grand alliance, seat adjustments or party-to-party alliances.



To a question on an alliance with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, he said, “The central council has not asked the committee nor restricted it to approach any particular party.”

The JUI-F chief also condemned the clashes at the Pak-Afghan border in Chaman and offered condolences to those who embraced ‘martyrdom’ in the attack.

“Bombing on innocent locals in Chaman by Afghan forces is condemnable and they [Afghan forces] should respect international borders,” Fazl urged.



He also reiterated the party's stance over the blasphemy law, saying “No one should be given permission to abolish the blasphemy law based on a few incidents.” However he added that no one should be allowed to take the law in their own hands.