LAHORE, May 4: The divergence of opinions among constituents of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on various issues has created a serious concern among its leaders who are preparing to raise the matter at the next MMA summit meeting likely to be held on May 13.

The meeting will also approve the six-party alliance’s manifesto for the elections and its constitution.

An attempt will be made at the meeting to work out some arrangement for adopting a joint stance in the future on various issues.

Some MMA leaders apprehend that the reports of a split in the alliance can frustrate voters who have pinned their hopes on the rare show of cooperation among religious parties.

They are also anxious about independent initiatives by constituent parties like Jamaat-i-Islami’s anti-referendum caravan amd challenging the Referendum Order in the Supreme Court without consulting its allies.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan chief Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani’s televised statement on referendum and on Supreme Court’s verdict, too, are said to have raised eyebrows, even within the party. The JUP followers, however, are said to be satisfied with the explanation from the Maulana.

The JUP’s provincial executive and the Shoora meeting held at Multan on Thursday reposed their confidence in Maulana Noorani’s leadership and formally requested him to contest election from Mianwali where Nawab of Kalabagh’s family, the Rokhris and Sher Afgan group had joined hands against the candidate backed by the late Maulana Abdul Sattar Niazi during the local elections.

The Niazi group had lost by a close margin, apparently on account of the Maulana’s death.

Meanwhile, JI amir Qazi Husain Ahmad has recently told a local Urdu daily that his party will not participate in the elections supervised by Justice Irshad Hasan Khan (retired). The central executive committee of the JI has also been convened for May 9 to discuss the issue.

Jamaat’s naib amir Liaquat Baloch said the party would take up the elections boycott issue to the MMA summit meeting. He said the party would abide by the alliance decision.

JUP senior vice-president Lt-Gen KM Azhar (retired) has advocated a national consensus on various issues to face the external and internal threats against the country. The former NWFP governor said “the referendum, after the Supreme Court allowed it, has been held, and the chief election commissioner, has notified the results.” Rather then debating its fairness, he said, the nation should work for the restoration of democracy and prevent any deviation from the election schedule announced by the government. — Amjad Mahmood