Imran, Sami ul Haq agree to work out joint strategy for 2018 polls

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-S (JUI-S) Ameer Maulana Sami ul Haq on Sunday agreed to work out a joint strategy for the general elections scheduled next year.

Both leaders arrived at the agreement during a meeting here today. The huddle is being seen as a major setback for the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), a political alliance of Islamic parties, which is going to be formally revived next month in a bid to give the PTI tough time in the general elections.

Speaking on the occasion, the PTI chief said the elimination of corrupt elements was a must for the progress of the country.

He said there was intellectual and ideological convergence between him and Sami ul Haq. Imran expressed his gratitude to the JUI-S leader for supporting the initiatives the KP government has taken so far for promotion of Islamic principles. He said his party wanted religious seminaries to stand on their feet.

In his remarks, Haq said he greatly valued the government initiatives with regard to propagation of Islamic ideals.

Earlier this month, Jamaat e Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq announced the restoration of disbanded Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) after convening a meeting of six member parties of the religious right coalition at JI Headquarters in Lahore.

Addressing the media, he said the decision of restoring MMA was taken after holding talks with senior leadership of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other religious parties.

The Muttahida Majlis–e–Amal (MMA), a political alliance consisting of far-right religious parties of Pakistan was formed before the 2002 general elections.

The alliance consolidated its position during the general elections in Pakistan held in 2002 during the rule of Pervez Musharraf. The MMA made provincial government in northwestern frontier province and remained in ruling coalition with PML-Q in Balochistan.

The alliance remained in existence for a brief period of time when the JUI-F left the alliance over the political disagreement on the issues of boycotting the general elections held in 2008.