PESHAWAR, Sept 8: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawar Hassan has said that his party is ready for seat to seat adjustment with all political parties for the forthcoming general elections.

Talking to journalists here on Saturday, he said that JI had nominated candidates for all seats of national and provincial assemblies across the country. He directed workers to expedite preparations for the general polls.

“JI can make seat to seat adjustment with any political party in the next elections,” he said, adding keeping in view the peculiar political situation of provinces, Jamaat could enter into electoral alliance with different political parties in different provinces.

“There is possibility to make seat to seat adjustment at division level,” Mr Hassan remarked. When asked about the restoration of Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), he said that negative statements by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI) leaders were major hurdle in revival of the six-party alliance.

The JI chief said that restoration of MMA was a serious issue, but before its revival, his party wanted to ascertain reasons, which led to dissolution of the alliance. He said that he had discussed fate of MMA with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, but remained inconclusive.

Mr Hassan said that conspiracies being hatched to postpone the general elections in the country. He said that it was also possible to launch military operation in North Waziristan Agency to justify delay in the polls.

“The government can declare emergency on the pretext of law and order situation,” he said and added that in fact President Asif Ali Zardari was interested in delaying elections for at least one year.

The JI chief said that it was in the larger interest of the nation to hold early elections. He criticised the role of former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and said that he should give up friendly opposition.

He opposed new local government ordinance in Sindh and alleged that Mutahidda Quami Movement (MQM) was empowered to rule urban areas of Sindh.

Mr Hassan alleged that both PPP and MQM wanted to rig polls in Sindh to continue extortion and corruption in the province. He said that JI fully supported strike call in Sindh against the new ordinance.

The JI chief rejected US government reports about presence of Haqqani network in Pakistan. He said that Haqqani group was operating in Afghanistan and could not be separated from Taliban movement. He said that America should admit its defeat and leave Afghanistan as soon as possible.

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...