JI ready for elections, says party leader

At least six parties have engaged in efforts to unite on a religious agenda.

PESHAWAR:

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has nominated at least 90% of its candidates for the upcoming general elections for national and provincial assembly seats, according to a senior party leader.

The party’s provincial general secretary, Shabir Ahmed Khan, told The Express Tribune that the party has also conveyed the nominations to their candidates, who are now actively pursuing campaigns in their areas.

Throughout the year, JI has held at least 50 large public gatherings across the province, which the party’s senior leadership had attended. “Party meetings have also been held at each constituency level.” Shabir said.

According to Shabir, JI has been in contact with Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) concerning seat adjustments, while efforts to forge an alliance with religious parties were also underway.

“We are going to the elections with a sound strategy and our target is to set up our government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,” Shabir said.

When asked about political alliances with a religious forefront, Shabir confirmed that the leaders of six parties had met at the residence of Liaqat Baloch in Lahore in October to discuss this proposed alliance. He added that this new electoral alliance will also be discussed at the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) meeting in Islamabad on November 12.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2012.