March 23, 2006	Thursday	Safar 22, 1427

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LAHORE, March 22: No serious movement against the government is expected in near future as opposition parties have so far neither done any homework nor evolved a strategy for the purpose. Both the ARD and MMA have not yet decided their second and third line of leadership, the most essential step for a successful drive, in case of arrests during the anti-government movement.

Central officials of the MMA admit that they as well as the ARD are not ready to do anything for launching the movement as both the alliances have reservations against each other.

“The MMA is apprehensive of reports of talks between the government and the PPP, the major component of the ARD which fears that the religious alliance may ditch other opposition parties like it had done on the 17th amendment issue.”

Activists of two components of the alliance, namely the Jamaat-i-Islami and the Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith admit that there also differences of opinion within the MMA itself.

The JUI-F, the largest parliamentary party of the MMA, is against any step that could cost the alliance its governments in the NWFP and Balochistan.

Its president Maulana Fazlur Rahman, who is also opposition leader in the National Assembly, has clearly said in MMA high-command meetings that the PPP, PML-N or other opposition parties have nothing to lose in case the present assemblies are dissolved due to the movement, they claim.

They also quote him as having said that politics is meant for reaching assemblies. And now when they have achieved the goal, why they should initiate any activity that could rob them of this position.

Maulana Fazl wants to contain even the Namoos-i-Risalat movement up to issuance of statements what to talk of any anti-government drive, they say.

Differences between the JUI-F and the JI on the movement, the National Security Council and a host of other issues have reached a point of no return but Qazi Husain Ahmad is trying his utmost to keep the alliance intact with the hope that this may enable his party to secure some seats in Punjab in next elections.

According to an MJAH official, the masses are not going to vote for MMA mainly due to its role in passing the 17th amendment.

A senior JI leader admits that they had failed to pursue MMA central leaders to visit the province during October 2002 general election and there is no such hope in future as well.

He is clear that the avoidance is aimed at depriving the JI of any chance to appear prominently in the provincial political scene.