Joining MMA would be a sin for me: Sami

PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) chief Maulana Samiul Haq Saturday said that he would prefer to sit at home rather than joining the religious parties’ alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) for contesting the upcoming general election.

Maulana Samiul Haq, who is also chairman of the Defence of Pakistan Council, was talking to reporters after attending the scrutiny process of his nomination papers at the Provincial Election Commission office.

“To join MMA would be a sin for me. The alliance is deceiving people in the name of religion,” the JUI-S chief said.

About protest rallies of religious parties against sentence to the accused in Mashal lynching case, he said that it was a sensitive issue and maintained that blasphemy allegations were not proved against Mashal.

He said the court cleared everything about Mashal Khan.

“Now holding protest against Mashal is wrong and injustice,” he declared. However, he said, he would consult the issue with Ulema after receiving the detailed judgment of the case.

About his participation in the Senate election, the Maulana claimed that he had the support of four major political parties.

“I served as Senator for four times and I am hopeful to become the Senator for the fifth time,” he added.