Imran, Sami form election alliance

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

Both the leaders arrived at the agreement during a meeting here on Sunday. 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 Haq. Imran expressed his gratitude to the JUI-S leader for supporting the initiatives the KP government had 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 parties of the religious coalition at the JI headquarters in Lahore.

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