PESHAWAR, Oct 15: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Tuesday finalized the formation of NWFP government by giving the chief minister’s slot to the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) and the post of provincial assembly’s speaker to the Jamaat-i-Islami.

The MMA, after a meeting at JI’s Markaz Al Islami, announced the arrangement amongst its three main components. The alliance handed out deputy speaker’s slot to the JUI (Sami) and senior minister’s post to the JI.

NWFP MMA chief Qazi Abdul Latif told newsmen of the decisions.

The alliance made a unanimous decision on the distribution of top four slots among its components, he said.

Owing to the Afghan situation and its effects on the province, the MMA leadership wanted to install JI chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad or JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman for the top position, he said.

“In case they are not willing to take up the province’s reins, the MMA will abide by today’s formula,” he maintained.

Flanked by MMA leaders Maulana Gul Nasib, Sirajul Haq, Prof Ibrahim, Maulana Hamidul Haq and Maulana Attaur Rehman, he said restoration of Constitution and enforcement of Shariat would be the first priority of their government.

He said the MMA had asked the component parties to present names for those positions. The MMA also decided to lessen the portfolios. “We do not want a bunch of provincial assembly members as ministers,” he said.

He said the decision to give the CM’s slot to the JUI-F was taken as the party had bagged more seats in the provincial assembly.

The MMA leader vowed that the alliance would remain intact and added: “We will not let down the people who have reposed trust in the MMA in the elections.”