NOWSHERA, Dec 6: Serious differences have emeraged between the JUI (F) and Jamaat-i-Islami the appointment of a district coordination officer, with the former threatening to launch a movement if the officer is not replaced.

The tug-of-war between the two major components of the six-party alliance, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, came to the fore on Sunday when the JUI (F) held its district shura meeting to demand replacement of the DCO Nowshera, posted ostensibly on the recommendation of JI chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad.

The shura, headed by the JUI (F) district amir, MPA Maulana Muhammad Mujahid Khan, alleged that the DCO was a JI nominee who had failed to take other parties along "so much so that no other political party in the district was willing to work with him".

Nowshera is the hometown and constituency of Qazi Hussain Ahmed and it is widely believed that all important postings in the district are made on his recommendation. Mr Noor Ali's posting as the DCO has triggered a controversy, and even the district nazim supporting the JUI in its efforts to oust him.

Maulana Mujahid said he would try and have a meeting with NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani by Wednesday to convey to him the party's reservations over the appointment. The party's local chapter has threatened to launch a movement against the DCO, lock up his offices and block roads if the officer was not removed.