LAHORE – The religious parties of various schools of thoughts have come close to a seat adjustment formula eventually to save the religious vote bank from being divided, TheNation has learnt.
A meeting of leaders of defunct Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) including Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, JUI-S, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan and Islami Tehrik was held at the residence of JI Secretary General Liaquat Baloch on Wednesday to pave the way for the seat adjustment formula to counter the left wingers in the forthcoming general elections.
A participant of the meeting hoped that the current breakthrough would lead towards seat adjustment formula.
He told TheNation that the participants of the meeting agreed upon to gear up the efforts in this regard. He said another meeting would be held soon but was not sure that where and when the meeting would be arranged. He said Maulana Amjad Khan of JUI-F asked for some time to consult his party regarding the matter.
He said the other parties would also discuss about the seat adjustment formula.
The meeting was attended by JI leaders including Liaquat Baloch, Farid Paracha, Ameerul Azeem, JUP leaders Qari Zawar Bahadur and Abdur Rasheed Rizvi, JUI-F leader Maulana Amjad Khan and Maulana Amir Aziz and Islami Tehrik’s Hafiz Kazim Raza.
The current move for seat adjustment was initiated by JUP. On Saturday last, a JUP delegation led by its President Dr Abul Khair Muhammad Zubair visited Mansoora and met JI Ameer Syed Munawar Hasan. Both the parties discussed the issues relating to forthcoming elections.
According to a Press release issued here, on the occasion Liaquat Baloch said that the meeting would help improve the relations between the different parties who would consider electoral cooperation through mutual consultation.
He was sure there would be a positive development within a few days.
He said that the JI had no commitment for seat adjustment with any party nor had there been any assurance in this regard.
However, talks in this regard were only a part of the political process.
Qari Zawar Bahadar said that efforts for the revival of the MMA were still going on.
He said that the religious leadership in the Punjab should also join hands for the purpose ,adding, that the unity of the religious parties would send a positive message to the nation.
Maulana Amjad Khan said that although the today’s meeting was informal, yet it had the feeling that the religious vote should not be divided.
It may be mentioned here that the religious parties including JUI-F, JI, Sunni Tehreek and JUP along with other political parties have finalised the arrangements for seat adjustment in Sindh.