Disbanded MMA to be formally restored by December, says JI chief

LAHORE: Jamaat e Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq announced the restoration of disbanded Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) in a joint press conference on Thursday after convening a meeting of six member parties of the religious right coalition at JI Headquarters here.

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) and other religious parties.

Supremacy of the law and constitution is the sole solution to all prevailing issues, besides democratic stability since the country could not bear another political mishap, noted Haq.

He said the MMA, an alliance of religious parties, will be formally revived on the previous manifesto, which is likely to be finalized by the committee having representatives of all religious parties and a formal announcement is to be made in December.

The next meeting will be held at the residence of Shah Owais Noorani in Karachi in the mid of December, JI chief further said.

He emphasized the elections should be held on time in accordance with the constitution, adding that all issues can only be resolved through the rule of law and merit.

MMA: Political alliance

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.