LAHORE:
The JUI-F will not be part of any joint movement with the TTAP until past misgivings between them and the PTI are addressed, a party official said, as contrasting positions of the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) and the JUI-F emerge on the joint movement.
Two meetings – an informal interaction in Parliament and another formal meeting at Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s residence with opposition leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai – have sparked speculation about a broader alliance against the PML-N-led government.
The opposition alliance led by TTAP and its main shareholder, the PTI (excluding JUI-F), has already announced a campaign against the recent rise in inflation and oil prices earlier this week, and plans to approach other opposition parties, including JUI-F, to launch a joint movement.
TTAP spokesperson Akhundzada Hussain told The Express PAkGazette that general economic and security issues were discussed during the meeting at Maulana’s residence.
He said there was consensus between the two parties on launching an anti-inflation movement, the ECP and the proposed 28th Amendment and added that Maulana Fazlur Rehman has sought time to discuss the proposals with senior party leaders.
However, JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri denied that talks of a joint movement had taken place during Mehmood Khan Achakzai’s recent visit, insisting that the only objective was to offer condolences over the assassination of JUI-F leader Maulana Muhammad Idrees. He said political issues were discussed, but not a joint movement.
He said the JUI-F would not join any movement with the PTI until the outstanding issues were resolved, noting that the PTI had engaged in consultations and exchanged proposals on the 26th Amendment, but then repudiated the process after its passage. “How can we trust them after this.”
He said the PTI had repeatedly raised the idea of a joint movement, but without any concrete plan. In view of this, he said, the JUI-F is pushing its own movement, “Awan Nahi Maidan”, and will organize a rally in Karachi against inflation and law and order issues.
He said that the JUI-F chief is planning a visit to Balochistan after Eid, noting that Maulana Fazlur Rehman holds Mehmood Khan Achakzai in high esteem and enjoys cordial ties with him. He added that any formal proposal by Achakzai would be considered after the JUI-F sets its own terms of reference (ToR).
When contacted again for clarification amid the JUI-F dispute over the purpose of the meeting and the proposed move, TTAP spokesperson Hussain expressed surprise and said that the JUI-F spokesperson may not be aware of all the details. He maintained that the meeting went beyond a condolence call and had a broader scope.
When contacted to share TTAP’s stance on the issue, JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri said their position on a joint movement remains the same irrespective of TTAP’s claims.
