MMA applies for ‘book’as election symbol

LAHORE: Muttahida Majlis–e–Amal (MMA) has formally applied for its traditional election symbol “book” to the Election Commission for the forthcoming elections.

The application was filed by MMA Secretary General Liaqat Baloch on Thursday. He was accompanied by the representatives of all parties of the religious alliance, including Mian Muhammad Aslam, Arif Husain Wahidi, Maulana Abdur Rauf, Maulana Abdullah, Kashif Chaudhry, Saifullah Gondal advocate, Ishtiaq Butt and Maulana Mashud Salfi.

Talking to reporters outside the Election Commission office, Liaqat Baloch said MMA had started mass contact and preparations for elections in a big way. He said National Workers Convention and Minar-e-Pakistan public meeting had given a big political boost to religious voters and MMA was destined to play a key role in 2018 elections. He said MMA President Maulana Fazlur Rehman would announce the election manifesto of the religious alliance on 4th June.

He said the central and provincial parliamentary boards of MMA had been announced and the district level bodies of the alliance would recommend the names of the National Assembly and provincial assemblies candidates. He said after Eidul Fitr, MMA would hold meetings at Peshawar, Multan, Karachi, Quetta, Rawalpindi and Abbottabad and the last public meeting would be held in Karachi.

He said the revival of MMA had caused a stir among the secular elements. He said every effort would be made to win the votes of religious and patriotic people. He said the young generation had great expectations from MMA. He said the objectives of the creation of MMA were the enforcement of Nizam-e-Mustafa.

Liaqat Baloch deplored the delay in the announcement of the caretaker setup and said it would be advisable that the decision in this respect was taken without further delay. He hoped that the Election Commission would ensure fair, free and transparent elections.

Book lauched: The book of Muhammad Anwar “Hum sb ek Hain” was launched at Punjab University’s College of Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES).

According to a press release, CEES Principal Prof Dr Sajid Rashid, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion. Addressing the ceremony, Anwar said, "Allah wants us to be united and avoid divisions so we all must work together for the progress and prosperity of our beloved homeland."

Dr Sajid Rashid said all the sections of society must join hands irrespective of their differences and serve the interest of the country.