All-parties conference: JI slams JUI-F for meeting K-P governor, US ambassador

Says Fazl is violating unanimously-passed declaration by calling all the shots.

PESHAWAR:

Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) provincial chief Professor Muhammad Ibrahim on Monday termed Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s meetings with US ambassador and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) governor a violation of the declaration unanimously passed during the all-parties conference (APC) held in Islamabad on February 28.

“The Maulana is violating sections 1 and 3 of the APC declaration by holding meetings with these entities which could result in a setback to the process initiated to restore peace in the region,” Ibrahim said at a news conference at his party’s head office, Al-Markaz Islami.

Lashing out at the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief, Ibrahim said Section 1 of the declaration states “the jirga constituted for furthering the peace process would be expanded to represent every school of thought.” He, however, maintained the clause was not being adhered to.

He said Fazl met the K-P governor and US ambassador without first acting upon the said section, adding that some reports indicate the JUI-F chief is set to engage in talks with certain other departments as well.



Ibrahim said Section 3 of the declaration states the jirga will start negotiating with concerned quarters in light of the recommendations made by the leadership of all political parties. He, however, lamented Fazl was calling the shots independently.

Ibrahim said his party has no objections if “JUI-F can do this all alone.” But after issuing a unanimous declaration with consensus from JI and other political parties, Fazl is bound to follow the document, he said, adding the peace process will be adversely affected otherwise.

Deliberating over his party’s preparations for the upcoming elections, Ibrahim said JI has completed 90% of the work on nominating candidates for both national and provincial seats in K-P and Fata. He added most candidates have formally started their election campaigns.

Dispelling speculation of an electoral alliance, Ibrahim said his party will contest under the ‘scale’ symbol and make seat adjustments with other parties if needed. He said JI has contacted JUI-F for seat adjustments, but the latter has sought time to reply.

JI provincial general secretary Shabir Ahmad Khan, Haroonur Rashid and information secretary Israrullah were also present at the address.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2013.