KARACHI, Aug 25: Jamaat-i-Islami, a major component of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), and the Pakistan People’s Party, dominating the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD), have been establishing contacts with each other to consider formation of a grand alliance.

The idea of forming such an alliance has come under review of the two parties following defeat of their respective groups in the local bodies elections, particularly in Sindh.

They are reportedly considering to launch a joint protest movement against the government for, what they claim, its resorting to massive rigging in the whole election process.

The PPP and JI have already declared the election ‘a fraud’ and have been expressing their resentment over the alleged violation of the Election Commission’s code of conduct, use of state machinery and blatant use of force against opponents by ministers, advisers and other officials.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which was backing Haq Parast group in the local bodies election, appeared to be the main target of the opposition criticism as the group has registered an impressive victory over all its rivals in Karachi and Hyderabad.

A senior PPP leader, while confirming the reports of his party’s contacts with the JI, told PPI on Thursday that the second phase of the LB elections in Sindh had compelled the two parties to reject the LB elections’ results and stage street protest.

“The PPP and JI have already held separate protest demonstrations in Karachi against rigging, attacks on their leaders and workers, engineered results and the partiality demonstrated by the Election Commission, but we are seriously pondering over initiating a joint protest movement within days,” he said.

He disclosed that the top leaderships of the PPP and JI had discussed the situation with reference to the LB polls and decided to hold a joint meeting to chalk out a future course of action. They also decided to mobilize other opposition political parties in this regard.

However, he made it clear that any decision about launching of a joint protest movement against the government would be taken by the leadership of the ARD and MMA to ensure participation of all opposition forces in the campaign.

A senior JI leader also confirmed that the Jamaat leadership had approached the PPP and PML-N leadership to exchange views on the LB polls and their results. However, he said, a decision on launching the joint struggle was yet to be taken.

“Yes, they are unanimous on one point that the rulers should not be allowed to prolong their rule anymore as they are not sincere with the people and the country as evident from the LB polls,” he said, adding that the JI and PPP were the most affected parties in the election process.

BLACK DAY: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) announced on Thursday that it would observe a ‘black day’ on Friday against “rigging in LB polls, violation of the code of conduct and changes in election results.”