LAHORE, May 20: The People’s Party has ruled out electoral alliance with the Jamaat-i-Islami.

Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, Punjab PPP president Qasim Zia said he did not think that any alliance with the Jamaat was possible.

He said he had met Qazi Husain Ahmad during the all-parties conference in a routine and nothing was discussed with him except referendum.

The PPP had contested the Lahore district Nazim office in the local body polls in alliance with the Jamaat-i-Islami last year.

Provincial information secretary Naveed Chaudhry was also present during the press conference.

Answering a question about making the ARD an election alliance, he said the issue had not yet been taken up by the party.

Asked if the party would support the army at a time when situation on borders was tense, he said the PPP, despite its differences with the government, would be with the armed forces whenever there was a testing time for the country.

Denying press reports about awarding of party ticket to any one for October polls, he said no formal meeting was held at Dubai to discuss the tickets issue. He, however, said preliminary scrutiny of the candidates would start next month (June) and by that time a party meeting on the issue was likely to be held in London.

Answering a volley of questions about former Punjab governor Mustafa Khar’s role in the party, he said Mr Khar was a party worker and chairperson Benazir Bhutto would decide about his role, if any.

About Khwaja Tariq Rahim’s meeting with Ms Bhutto, he said he had met the chairperson in his personal capacity and not as a party worker. Mr Rahim had requested her for a party ticket from Lahore but no decision had yet been taken on it, he added.