LANDI KOTAL, Nov 9: The postponement of the inaugural session of the newly-elected National Assembly provided a breathing space to the tribal MNAs as they had so far failed to evolve a joint strategy as to which political party or alliance to support for the formation of central government in Islamabad.

The 12 MNAs-elect from eight tribal agencies are divided into two groups, with seven having the backing of Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA) while the rest of five still retaining their independent status.

The two groups, during the last three weeks, held a number of inconclusive meetings regarding their future line of action. The government, through a notification, has only recently barred the tribal MNAs from joining any political party.

Before the Oct 10 elections, the political authorities in all the eight tribal agencies had asked all the contesting candidates to furnish an undertaking that they would contest elections as independent candidates, despite the fact that they were given party symbols and the political parties nominated most of them as their candidates.

The group of independents are keeping their options open and are of the opinion that as per their traditions they would prefer to support whichever party or alliance succeeds in the formation of government in Islamabad.

One of its members and MNA-elect from Orakzai, Dr Ghazi Gulab Jamal, while talking to Dawn, stressed that keeping in view the backwardness of tribal areas, tribal MNA’s cannot afford to sit in the opposition.

Referring to the rival group of seven religious-minded MNAs, he said that although they were elected as independents, they were strictly abiding by the MMA manifesto and cannot afford to violate party rules.

These MNAs are reportedly in constant touch with the MMA top leadership and are awaiting an agreement/understanding between the MMA and other contenders for power in Islamabad.

Dr Ghazi Gulab, commonly known as Dr GG, however, said that all the tribal MNAs will shortly meet in Islamabad to evolve a joint strategy.

Dr GG emphasized that whichever party they would vote for in the formation of the government, they would retain their independent status.

Another MNA-elect from Khyber Agency, Allama Noorul Haq, also a member of the independents group, clarified that they would support only that party or alliance which could guarantee a workable developmental package for the tribal areas. Himself a spiritual leader from Landi Kotal, Allama Qadri, however, said that they would support MMAs efforts for the Islamisation of society.

Same views were expressed by another Khyber Agency MNA, Maulana Khalilur Rahman. He said that tribal interest would come first and he would cast his vote in favor of a candidate who would ensure development of tribal areas.

Recent reports from Islamabad revealed that all the pro-MMA tribal MNAs have either gone into hiding or being forced to stay away from the political wheeling and dealing in the capital.

The seven pro-MMA tribal MNAs were perplexed about their role in the assembly if a Muslim League (Q) government was formed in the centre without the support of MMA.

It may be noted that never in the political history of Pakistan, tribal MNAs had ever opposed a central government.