KARACHI, April 12: In an unexpected move, Nazims, Naib Nazims and general councillors of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) backed Al-Khidmat group have decided to sit on the fence during the presidential referendum.

The Jamaat is a major component of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Aml, the first ever election alliance of religious parties in the country, which already has decided to boycott the referendum, terming it unconstitutional

A reliable party source said on Friday that councillors and Nazims of Al-Khidmat group would play a role of spectators in the whole exercise of the referendum, and a decision in this regard was expected to be taken in a Shoora meeting of the party here on Saturday.

The situation has become quite critical for the government after the decision as the PPP and the PML (N) have already barred their elected representatives from being part of the referendum process, while the Jamaat has decided to keep its representatives silent.

The decision has been taken amid various proposals being offered by the PPP to evolve a joint strategy for their elected representatives to counter the referendum.

The JI sources said on one hand it was opposing the proposed referendum while on the other, the government was continuously putting pressure on the elected Nazims and councillors to help it in holding the referendum smoothly by influencing people to vote in a maximum number.

Contrary to this, City Naib Nazim Tariq Hasan, having the backing of the PML (Q), despite lacking a significant majority in the City Council, has announced to support the referendum and has offered to bear the whole expenses of the process in the city.

City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has, however, left for Shanghai, China, to review the introduction of metro train in the city and expected to return by Tuesday.

“The PPP has also barred its Nazims, Naib Nazims and general councillors from participating in Gen Musharraf’s public meetings,” a PPP spokesman said.

However, the PPP-backed local government representatives have been allowed to receive Gen Musharraf and other government functionaries at the public meetings as part of their administrative duties. But they will not attend public meetings after performing their administrative duties.

The PPP spokesman said the directive had been communicated to all Nazims, Naib Nazims and general councillors, asking them to strictly adhere to the policy and warned them that no violation would be tolerated in this regard.

“The party’s local representatives have responded positively to the instructions and have welcomed the move,” the sources contented.

The sources said there was another segment in the Jamaat ranks which pressurizes the party-backed elected members to resign as a sign of protest against the president’s move. This faction supports its argument by citing emerging problems, including lack of funds, bureaucracy’s role, which they consider a major hindrance in their way of performing duties.

In the present scenario, the PML (Q) has become the only party to support the referendum, which has a considerable number of elected members in the local bodies, followed by NAP, PTI, PAT, while both sections of the MQM had boycotted the local bodies polls.

The anti-referendum political and religious parties have gathered under three political alliances — ARD, MMA and PONAM — and are in close contact to evolve a joint strategy against the referendum.—PPI