PESHAWAR, Sept 2: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has started a door-to-door drive in Peshawar District to put its anti-secular message across and win voters over.

Leaders of the MMA — a bloc of six religio-political parties — have coined a number of slogans to convince the people on the importance of casting votes in the light of Islamic teachings. They claim to represent the religious forces against the secular elements.

Peshawar District MMA chief Hakeem Abdul Waheed told Dawn that the coalition considered the forthcoming elections a ‘war’ between the supporters of the United States, who believed in secularism, and pro-Islamic elements.

He said their campaigners had started electioneering after the evening prayers and explained the importance of casting vote in the light of Islamic concept.

The bloc components have formed election committees in 92 union councils of the city, and its candidates are opening election offices in their respective constituencies.  

The MMA has fielded its joint candidates on the four National Assembly and 11 provincial assembly seats. However, it has no seat-to-seat adjustment with other political parties in the district.

All its candidates are new entrants, except Shabir Ahmad Khan of Jamaat-i-Islami, who is contesting for NA-1 (Peshawar-I) against Usman Bilour, a joint nominee of the Awami National Party and the People’s Party Parliamentarians.