Fazl rules out formal alliance of opposition parties

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat UIema-e-Islam Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Wednesday ruled out any formal alliance of opposition parties, saying his party would continue its political struggle from its own platform.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the party’s general council, which met in Lahore on April 19-20, had not allowed any formal opposition alliance. He said at present no effective alliance of the opposition parties exists in the country. “Our doors are open for talks with the opposition parties,” he added.

The JUIF chief, at the same time, said his party would stand with the province when it comes to protection of their rights. Also, working committee and Majlis-e-Shoora would decide about cooperation with other parties on day-to-day matters and common issues.

He said that talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership were in progress for the last one year and there had been an improvement in relations between the two parties.

However, he noted that contacts between the religious parties was a positive step, saying that he visited Mansoora, the Jamaat-e-Islami headquarters, to condole Professor Khurshid’s death.

Fazlur Rehman said the party had also rejected the mines and minerals bill, adding that JUIF had issued show-cause notices to its members in Balochistan who voted in favour of the bill.

The JUIF chief announced to stage Gaza Million March in in Lahore on April 27, Peshawar May 11 and in Quetta on May 15.