KARACHI, March 14: Shah Faridul Haq has been unanimously elected president of Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan to fill in the position which had fallen vacant due to the death of Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani.

According to a press release of the JUP received here on Sunday, MNA Sahibzada Dr Abulkhair Mohammad Zubair was elected vice president of the party. The decision was taken in a joint meeting of the central executive committee and shoora. The new JUP president vowed to continue the policy of the late Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani.

He criticized the military operation in tribal areas and the government crackdown on jihadi elements. He was of the view that the government had seriously undermined the country's integrity by making a U-turn on Afghanistan and jihadi organisations.

He also criticized the government's policy on Kashmir and the handling of the nuclear scientists issue. He said the JUP would never accept any compromise on the nuclear issue and deplored the treatment meted out to Dr A.Q. Khan.

He demanded the immediate release of Dr Khan and other nuclear scientists. He also deplored the murder of Abdullah Murad and two girls of Malir and expressed grave concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country. Shah Faridul Haq also deplored the price hike, rising unemployment and removal of Quranic verses from textbooks.