Qazi blasts JUI for using MMA platform
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Amir Jamat-e-Islami and President of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) Qazi Hussain Ahmed on Wednesday rejected a decision announced by Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman a day earlier regarding contesting the upcoming elections from the platform of MMA.
Addressing a news conference, he said he would ask the Election Commission to allocate symbols other than book to the parties vying for the MMA symbol as they would not be participating in the election under the umbrella of MMA.
He said Jamaat-i-Islami was boycotting the elections despite being sure to win seats in Islamabad, Nowshera, Deer, Chitral, Malakand and other parts of the country. Flanked by JI leaders Senator Prof. Khursheed Ahmad and former MNA Mian Muhammad Aslam, Qazi Hussain Ahmad those from JI who contest the elections would be out of the party.
“Those going into elections and leaving the Jamat-e-Islami are no more our part,” he added. He said he was still President of the MMA and added that the JI stood for fair and fair and free elections, which as also the demand of all political parties. Referring to November 27 MMA meeting, Qazi Hussain Ahmad said that five heads of the component parties of the alliance had expressed willingness willing to boycott the elections. He claimed that the meeting of MMA held on December 11 was attended by only heads of two component parties and it could take decisions on behalf of the alliance. “We want to keep the MMA intact but if some party goes into election in the name of MMA, it should not use the name of MMA. Those contesting the elections would have to regret afterwards,” Qazi said. Amir Jamat-e-Islami further said that the members of his party would withdraw their nomination papers on December 15. He said the APDM and ARD talks on charter of demands ran into a deadlock over the issue of reinstatement of deposed judges and giving a deadline for the acceptance of demands.
“It is the time to stand with (deposed) judges, youth, media and lawyers for the sake of a bright future of the country. Those political parties who do not support them would earn bad name,” he added. MMA president Qazi Hussain Ahmad has made it clear he is still MMA president and he will not tender resignation. Qazi Hussain Ahmad said this while addressing a press conference at his residence here Wednesday. He said the meeting which was held under Maulana Fazlur Rehman on December, 11 had no worth. It was neither supreme council meeting nor general council meeting. If election commission takes any action at the behest of participants of this meeting, it will be against constitution, he added. “ We will demand of election commission not to allot symbol of book to the component parties of MMA which are participating in the elections. These parties should contest election on separate symbols. We will ask the people not to support these parties in the election”, he underscored. To a question he said they will not stop people from casting votes forcibly. “We will however, launch campaign of re-awakening. We will withdraw nomination papers in processions on December, 15. Later we will visit our constituencies and initiate forceful campaign which will convert into effective popular movement. However we will not quit senate”, he held.
Hanif Abbasi remains no more Jamaat-e-Islami member, he said adding whosoever wants to go can quit.
Responding to a question he said all efforts would be employed to keep MMA intact. There was no consensus among MMA component parties to take part in the elections. Parties which are going to contest elections should not use MMA platform, he cautioned.