PTI will be told alliance not possible: JUI-F senator

ISLAMABAD: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl leadership has decided to distance itself from any political alliance after receiving no categorical clarification from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding its contacts with the establishment.

JUIF senators Kamran Murtaza and Hafiz Hamdullah, speaking separately on Geo Television’s programmes, stated that for the time being, their party would not join any political alliance. Senator Kamran Murtaza said the PTI leadership would be officially informed that an alliance was not possible at this stage. 

“For now, we are making it clear through the media that an alliance [with PTI] is not possible,” he said. He added that the JUIF leadership had already communicated its decision to the PTI and that this would be conveyed formally as well.

The rift between the two parties deepened after PTI leader Azam Swati said on April 12 that Imran Khan had tasked him with holding talks with the establishment. Commenting on this, Senator Murtaza said, “It is unacceptable to expect us to form a political alliance while simultaneously maintaining undisclosed contacts with the establishment.” He criticised the PTI leadership for failing to offer any clarification on the matter. 

Senator Murtaza further emphasized that during meetings with the PTI, the JUIF had clearly conveyed that no party should hold unilateral talks with the establishment. “Anything is possible in politics, but for now, we may coordinate on specific issues without becoming part of a formal alliance,” he said. Hafiz Hamdullah also confirmed that while the JUIF would remain in contact with other opposition parties on shared concerns, it would not join any political alliance.