13 February 2004	Friday	21 Zilhaj 1424

JHANG, Feb 12: The outlawed Millat-i-Islamia is determined to field its candidate for the byelection for NA-89, which fell vacant after the assassination of Maulana Azam Tariq. The polling is likely to be held in the late March or early April.

A source told Dawn on Thursday that rumours were rife that the former religious organization might opt for some like-minded candidate from outside to avoid the risk of its own candidate being disqualified due to government's interference.

The source alleged that such baseless stories were being aired by the supporters of a politician turned philanthropist, who was desirous of contesting the byelection after obtaining the support of both the MI and the government.

The organization, formerly known as the Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, has won the Jhang municipal area NA seat three times since 1990, losing only once in 1977, without the help of any outside philanthropist, and despite the opposition. The former group was all set to repeat its past performance and its candidate would be finalized in a few days, it said.

The source also said it was decided in principle at an earlier meeting of the shoora that the candidate should be an aalim. Responding to a question, the source disclosed that there was a tough competition between Maulana Alam Tariq, younger brother of the slain leader, and Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Ludhianvi, the former party chief, for getting the ticket. However, the source said, Maulana Alam stood a better chance of getting the ticket due to his association with the slain leader.