ISLAMABAD – Though the cause, ideology and identity are almost the same, yet petty differences have put the religio-political elements in a repulsive mode, that are supposed to unite the nation in the name of religion and politics.
Let it be politics or religion, it is hard to believe that all the religious parties of the country are on the same platform and the same is the case when it comes to the revival of defunct Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and the protection of Namoos-e-Risalat. Personality clash seemed the major factor in this regard followed by differences over policy issues and mistrust amongst them.
Differences between the two major component parties of the MMA – Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F – made the six-party religio-political alliance dysfunctional. In addition, an atmosphere of mistrust could not be overcome despite repeated efforts from both the sides. Both the parties agree on the need of a joint platform to wage struggle against ‘secular forces’ in the country. They believe that a common political platform can earn a 2002-like response in the next general elections but mistrust and differences over power sharing prove to be the major repulsive force between them.
Similar is the case when religious parties come out in the name of Tahaffaz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat because a group of eight Sunni sect parties together under the umbrella of Sunni Ittehad Council, led by Sahibzada Fazl Karim, is not willing to shake hand with the rest of the religio-political parties united under the umbrella of Tahaffuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat Mahaz with Sahibzada Abul Khair Muhammad Zubair its head. When asked to comment, SIC chief Sahibzada Fazl Karim said they don’t want to play politics on the issue.
“It is purely a religious issue; we don’t want to politicize it for our interests,” he said. He said some people came forward to safeguard Namoos-e-Risalat after relinquishing the government, but the council has been on ground since the government showed its intention to amend the blasphemy law. He said the summit meeting of the SIC had categorically rejected the idea of an alliance or any kind of working relationship with the Mahaz on any issue whether it’s political or religious.
