October 08, 2007	Monday	Ramazan 25, 1428

LAHORE, Oct 7: The central executive committee of Jamaat-i-Islami will meet here on Monday (today) to discuss a host of issues and the conduct of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam in implementing the decisions of All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) is on the top.

The meeting is said to be highly important as it is being held at a time when political understanding between President Gen Pervez Musharraf and PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto has almost been reached and Musharraf has got himself re-elected while retaining his army post.

It is important also because the Jamaat and other APDM lawmakers have resigned from assemblies. The party is likely to determine afresh its future course of action with regard to its relationship with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) parties and its role in the APDM agitation against the Musharraf government.

According to the Jamaat sources, the party is disturbed over the conduct of the largest component of the MMA - the JUI-Fazl - which had refuted blatantly decisions of the MMA and APDM in resigning from assemblies and dissolution of the NWFP assembly.

“The JUI has stabbed the democratic movement in the back and this party is responsible for causing a serious setback to the unity of the MMA and its electoral alliance,” a Jamaat leader said.

Yet the JI is not likely to take on the JUI because of the unity of the MMA and its role in the democratic movement. However, the Jamaat will also consider to politically reinforce its organisation, particularly in the NWFP so that it is able to talk to the JUI in future from a position of strength.

Another issue on the meeting’s agenda is the ‘deal between President Musharraf and the PPP chairperson and the Jamaat will discuss how deep the arrangement between the two will make an impact on the political and electoral future of the country.

Also to be considered by the Jamaat is the re-election of Gen Musharraf in uniform and what should be the party’s reaction if the general quits his army office before taking a fresh oath. The executive committee will take a stock of the APDM’s democratic strife and the Jamaat’s role in furthering the movement.