(Pakistan) Religious parties in solo flights
April 07, 2013
Arshad Bhatti
LAHORE – The term ‘unity’ that had been the hallmark of the disbanded Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal has lost its relevance these days, as religio-political parties belonging to all schools of thought have failed to forge a grand alliance for the electoral test ahead.
All these theocratic groups call for the enforcement of Islamic Shariah, but the strategies they have chalked out make them dependent on other leading parties, such as the PML-N, PPP and PTI, who they have nothing in common otherwise.
Observers believe the tussle between the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl has been the major stumbling block in revival of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal or formation of any such alliance. Not surprisingly, the Jamaat-e-Islami is eying a seat-adjustment deal with the PML-N and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl also with the same group.
In the recent past, the JI was learnt to have reached an electoral agreement with the PTI, but later it backed out. Reports say some top JI leaders were desirous of making a seat-adjustment accord with the PML-N due to which the party kept its distance from the PTI. Up till now, the JI has struggled to reach a final decision as regards who to ally with. A senior JI leader nevertheless says his group is in contact with other religious parties and the announcement of a formula to this effect is expected shortly.
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/07-Apr-2013/religious-parties-in-solo-flights
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaat-e-Islami
The Jamaat-e-Islami is the same party as the one behind the anti-atheist march in Bangladbesh Saturday. It began in Pakistan seventy years ago around the time of the partition by the British into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan (East and West). Jamaat-e-Islami was on the wrong side of the Bangladesh war for independence from Pakistan.. Its leaders in Bangladesh are accused of war crimes from that time. Many, primarily Bengali secularists, are calling for their prosecution and punishment. The Islamist march called by Jamaat-e-Islami for last Saturday was a reaction to that.
