ISLAMABAD, Sept 13: The Mutahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) is likely to reach an electoral adjustment with the PML-N, while it has already reached an understanding with Haji Nawaz Khokhar’s son for the Capital seat.

This was stated by Mian Mohammad Aslam, the MMA candidate from NA-48, in an interview with Dawn, at his office on Friday.

He said the MMA had not yet reached any formal agreement with PML (N), but its candidate from NA-48, Syed Zafar Ali Shah, who was also contesting elections from NA-56 (Rawalpindi city), had pledged not to run his campaign in NA-48.

Mr Aslam said if the agreement was finalized, Mr Shah would withdraw his candidature from NA-48, and the MMA candidate from NA-56, Dr Afzal Aizaz, could withdraw his candidature in favour of the PML-N candidate.

It may be noted here that People’s Party Parliamentarians has also been trying to have a seat adjustment with the PML-N, and its local leadership has been persuading Syed Zafar Ali Shah to withdraw his candidature in favour of the PPP candidate, Dr Babar Awan.

Mr Shah, in an exclusive interview with Dawn last week, had made it clear that he would not withdraw his candidature in favour of any candidate. He, however, had admitted that his party was holding negotiations with the PPP leadership for electoral adjustments.

In the interview, Mr Aslam said, under an agreement, the MMA would support Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, son of Haji Nawaz Khokhar, contesting elections from NA-49. On the other hand, he said, Nawaz Khokhar and his supporters would support him in NA-48.

To a question, he said as far as NA-48 was concerned, there was no interference by the capital administration, and all the candidates were being allowed to hold corner meetings.

He was also satisfied with the role of the election commission in the federal capital. “It has taken no action so far, that could have affected our campaign,” he added.

He supported the demands of some political parties, including the PPP, for counting and announcement of votes at the polling stations.

“Even if the announcement is made two days from the polling, after ballot boxes are sealed by the returning officers, who are serving judicial officers, I think we should trust them.”

About his meeting with the US embassy political officer, Mr Aparsedo, he said: “I made it clear to him that the MMA in general and Jamaat-i-Islami in particular believed that Pakistan should have friendly and mutually beneficial relationship with every country, including United States, but its leadership must think as to what promoted the anti-US sentiments in all the Muslim world.”