Imran Khan, Maulana Samiul Haq eyeing political alliance

PESHAWAR - The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) have agreed to prepare a joint strategy for forming a political alliance before the next general elections.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan and JUI-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq met on Sunday at K-P House in the federal capital where the decision was taken.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, K-P government spokesperson Shah Farman, and JUI-S leaders including Maulana Hamidul Haq, Maulana Yousaf Shahand others attended the meeting.

According to a statement issued by KP CM House, “In the meeting, the leaderships of both the parties in principle agreed to continue consultative meetings to prepare a joint strategy for the next elections so that the two parties could jointly struggle to bring the country out of the present crises and difficulties”.

During the meeting, Samiul Haq appreciated the steps taken by the PTI-led provincial government to introduce reforms in education systems according to the holy Quran and Shariah.

Haq also called for joint struggle to save the country from political and social crises, adding that development of a country was impossible in the presence of corrupt elements.

The statement adds, “We are thankful to Maulana Samiul Haq and his party for supporting and assisting our party in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for the implementation and publication of Islam.”

“The JUI-S and our party have ideological similarities on different national issues,” said Imran Khan.

The meeting between the PIT and JUI-S follows an announcement regarding revival of Muttahida Majlis i Amal, which was set up in 2002 general elections by the religious parties. Samiul Haq’s party was an important part of the MMA.

On Saturday, Samiul Haq said that the MMA would be revived only if the religious parties, including JUI-F, supported the merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On the other hand, the KP government allocated a fund of Rs300 million for the construction and rehabilitation of Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora, Khattak which is run by Maulana Samiul Haq, who is also known as “father of Taliban”.