PESHAWAR, March 10: Major religious parties, including Jamaat-i- Islami and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, have decided to field joint candidates in the forthcoming general election, likely to be held in October 2002.

This was stated by JUI-F provincial chief Maulana Amanullah at a press conference at Darul Uloom Sarhad here the other day after the conclusion of two-day provincial executive council meeting of the party.

He said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, an umbrella organisation of country’s main religious groups, was meeting in Peshawar in the evening to evolve a joint strategy for general elections.

He said five religious parties — JI, JUI (both groups), Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (Noorani group), Ahle Hadit and the disbanded Tehreek-i-Jafria Pakistan — candidates would contest elections from the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal platform.

He alleged that the government was planning to bring its blue-eyed boys into power and was giving undue coverage to some parties through electronic media.

He demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan to make arrangements to ensure free and fair elections in the country.

Maulana Amanullah came down heavily on the government for detaining the JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He warned if the party chief was not released before March 17, the JUI would launch protest movement across the country.

Replying to a question, he said the JUI had completed arrangements to hold party elections.