MURREE, April 24: The major religious parties are running for the upcoming elections separately, which will divide the religious votes and adversely affect the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N).

In the 2002 elections, the religious parties had contested as a six-party alliance, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), which had affected the PML-N vote in Murree.

Qari Saif Ullah had secured 26,000 votes from the MMA, but had lost to the PPP candidate Shafqat Abbasi in the provincial assembly PP-1. Sufian Abbasi, the National Assembly candidate of MMA in 2002, secured 28,000 votes. This divided the right wing votes, helping the PPP candidate, Murtaza Satti, defeat Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of the PML-N.

In 2008, religious parties had not filed any candidate in this constituency, and the right-wing votes, predominantly from Murree, were cast in favour of the PML-N, whose candidates won both NA and PA seats.

In the upcoming elections, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazal has awarded the NA ticket to Qari Saif Ullah and the Provincial Assembly ticket to Ishtiaq Abbasi. Both candidates are from Murree Tehsil and from the Abbasi clan, and may not get substantial support in Kotli Sattian and Kahuta.

They are from the lower middle class and are contesting elections against business tycoons such as the owner of Air Blue airlines, Shahid Khaqan Abbassi, and the owner of Al-Khair University, Murtaza Satti.

Qari Saifi is an imam and does not even own a car, running his election campaign in a taxi instead.

Having the repute of a clean man, Saifi is getting increasing support and will play a definitive role in the upcoming elections even if he does not win.

The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has awarded the NA ticket to Majeed Satti of Kotli Sattian and the PA ticket to Sajjad Nabi Abbasi, while the smaller religious parties such as the Jamaat-i-Ehl-i-Sunnat and Ahl-e-Hadith are supporting the PML-N.

Though the Tableeghi Jamaat does not take part in elections as a party, its local zimadaaran are supporting Sardar Saleem Khan (a joint candidate of the PPP and PML-Q) in the provincial assembly due to family relations with the Jamaat.

Thus it is likely that the right wing votes would be divided, affecting the PML-N votes in the region.