KARACHI, Feb 8: With the passing away of Jamiat Ulema-i- Pakistan chief Allama Shah Ahmad Noorani, the weakness of the party machine has been exposed as there is nobody left in the JUP to steer out the once powerful organization.

This principle does not apply only on the JUP, but, also on other parties except Jamaat-i-Islami that holds regular elections for its Amirs from centre to the ground level. Otherwise, all other parties suffer from the same dilemma whenever any of the chief of party passes away.

In most of the cases, the party leadership have been grooming one of their heir in the party politics so that at the time of vacuum of leadership he could be available to lead the party. The history from Awami National Party, Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Democratic Party and others are its good examples. However, in the case of Sahibzada Shah Anas Noorani, this formula could not be applied as he had returned from Iraq just a few months before the US invasion. He had been acquiring religious education in Iraq.

Maulana Noorani, who had been holding talks on the Legal Framework Order as president of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, was not keeping good health for many months. Before he could see the fruits of prolong negotiations with the government, he passed away.

Following his death, the question emerged was about the leadership of the party. The JUP badly needed a leader capable of mobilizing the vote bank.

One group, led by Muhammad Hashim Siddiqui, Siddique Rathore and the people behind its finances, was supporting Sahibzada Anas. They were of the view that the party leadership should be handed over to Mr Anas despite his new entry in politics.

His ardent supporter, according to their adversaries, want to capitalize the situation in decision making by remaining close to Mr Anas. Another group supported the nomination of Mr Anas only if he could gain some experience in the company of Prof Shah Faridul Haq, who is acting president of the party. However, the close circles of Mr Anas did not like this idea, as they thought that the pro-Farid group wanted to have their hold on the party.

This controversy was the main hurdle in the election of JUP president in the meeting of Shoora on Jan 17. According to the party constitution, the new president should have been elected within 45 days after the death of Maulana Noorani. However, a committee has been formed to complete the election process by March 18.

Sahibzada Anas, who was elected as successor to Maulana Noorani to lead the World Islamic Mission, has gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. After performing Haj, he is likely to proceed on the world tour.

How the things would shape up on his return is not beyond one's imagination, as the very close associates of Sahibzada Anas would have to infuse the young blood in the party.

The likely replacement of late Maulana Noorani, besides Shah Faridul Haq, are Prof Munibur Rehman, Allama Ahmad Saeed Kazmi, MNA Dr Abul Khair Zubair and a few others. However, the inner circle of the party has ruled out all these nominations.