JUI-‘N’ talks fail

Published March 30, 2013

PESHAWAR, March 29: Talks between Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on seats adjustment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for coming general election failed to produce desired results.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, JUI-F provincial senior vice-president Maulana Attaur Rehman alleged that talks between the two parties collapsed due to cold response of the PML-N.

He said: “The JUI-F has reached the conclusion that the PML-N is not interested in seats adjustment.” He said that a six-member joint committee was set up to work out a formula for seats adjustment between the two parties, but it could not succeed despite several rounds of talks.

An insider said that at present the JUI-F was not negotiating with any major political party, including Awami National Party and Pakistan People’s Party, for seats adjustment.

He said that JUI-F might contest elections without seats adjustment with other parties.

Mr Rehman said that his party’s chances of seats adjustment or alliance with Jamaat-i-Islami vanished after the latter struck a deal with Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf.

He claimed that the JUI-F was the most popular party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas and they would sweep the coming elections. On this occasion, a few dissidents of PPP and ANP also joined the JUI-F.