LAHORE: Both factions of Jamiat Ahle Hadith – one led by Prof Sajid Mir and other by Ibtessam Elahi Zaheer – on Thursday merged after one-and-a-half decade of split, which came into effect after the death of Ehsan Elahi Zaheer.

Both factions held a joint press conference to announce the merger and Ibtessam Elahi Zaheer told the media men that he, along with his brothers, had decided to merge with [faction of] Sajid Mir, who is now leader of the united Jamiat Ahle Hadith.

Addressing the press conference, Prof Sajid Mir and Dr Hafiz Abdul Kareem claimed that leaders and workers had joined hands after almost 17 years of split. Both factions now agree on Prof Mir as leader of the party.

On the occasion, Prof Mir said the united JAH would resist all anti-democracy moves and clipping of wings of political parties was regrettable.

“The planning for throwing the PML-N out of the Senate election was going on for long. The axe of law has always fallen only on the politicians, whereas dictators always escaped unhurt,” he said and added: “We have revived MMA for protecting and promoting religious values in the society.”

Prof Mir also announced a conference on March 8 and 9 at Kala Shah Kaku, which would likely be addressed by Imam-i-Kaaba and delegates from Kuwait, India, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Maldives and Afghanistan would participate in the event.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2018