Senate poll allegations: PTI decides not to end alliance with JI for now

Sources say PTI will not enter into any electoral alliance with JI or MMA in coming elections at any level


Amir Khan April 22, 2018
Sources say PTI will not enter into any electoral alliance with JI or MMA in coming elections at any level. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE

KARACHI: Despite growing differences with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership has decided not to end its relations with its Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ally immediately.

Sources in the PTI told The Daily Express on Sunday that the party will try to sustain its alliance with the JI till the caretaker governments are formed in the run-up to this year’s general elections.

However, the PTI will not enter into any electoral alliance or seat adjustment with JI or Maulana Fazlur Rehman-led Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) in the next elections at provincial or national level.

The decision was after a recent statement by JI amir Sirajul Haq, in which he accused the ruling party in K-P of voting for Balochistan’s candidate on the orders of ‘the powers that be’ in last month’s election for Senate chairman.

Senate has lost moral standing: JI chief

Sources said that the PTI leadership had analysed the mentioned statement in detail. The leadership noted that there was a little time left for the general elections, therefore the PTI will not end its alliance with JI on its own.

“If JI separates from the K-P government, the chief minister will not dissolve the assembly and the provincial government will complete its tenure … and if the JI moves a no-confidence motion against the CM, then PTI will face it in a democratic way,” they added.

K-P Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has been given the task of consulting the opposition leader for the appointment of caretaker CM in the province and the matter should be resolved preferably between the two.

PTI conveyed ‘orders’ to vote for Balochistan candidate in Senate polls, reveals JI chief

Meanwhile, sources in the JI said that the party was discussing the option of an early separation from the K-P coalition with the PTI.

PTI leader Asad Umer told The Daily Express that the recent statement by the JI chief was condemnable.

“Our priority is selection of the caretaker CM. JI has the choice to disassociate from the K-P government, but PTI will not go into any alliance with the JI in the next elections,” he added.

JI central spokesperson Amirul Azeem confirmed that the party was considering leaving the K-P government.

“Even if the JI decides to quit, it will not let the K-P government fall,” he said, adding that party will take part in the elections under the banner of MMA, ruling out any electoral alliance with the PTI for now.

Azeem said the recent statement by the JI chief was based on facts.

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