PESHAWAR: Milli Muslim League (MML) chief Professor Saif Ullah Khalid confirmed on Wednesday that a consensus amongst like-minded religious political parties has been reached regarding forming a broad-based alliance for jointly contesting the 2018 general elections.
The MML had fielded independent candidate Liaquat Ali Khan for the NA-4 Peshawar by-election, scheduled to held on Thursday. Almost all top leaders of the MML from all over the country have assembled in Pakistan to support their candidate during the political contest.
Professor Saif Ullah said that in light of the increasing pressure exerted on Pakistan from outside, an alliance of right-leaning political parties was the need of the hour. In this connection leaders of leading right-wing political forces held its first ever gathering in Islamabad a couple of days back, where they agreed in principal to jointly contest the 2018 elections in the same manner as was witnessed in 2002 general elections.
Answering a query regarding forming a Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) inspired alliance, the MML chief said that, “It is premature to say anything about the restoration of the MMA.”
Regarding the chances of an MML victory in the NA-4 elections, Saif Ullah said that, “Our party was received with warm welcome by electorates in almost all parts of the NA-4 constituency. He further said that the MML had not impressed in the NA-120 Lahore by-election due to lack of preparation, adding that things would be different this time around.
Expressing disappointment over the role of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Saif Ullah Khalid said, “Without providing any solid reason or grounds, the ECP rejected MML’s application for registration and allotment of symbol.” He further said that, “ECP was putting its impartiality at stake by following the interior ministry’s dictations.”
Commenting on the track record of MML members, Saif Ullah said that not a single member or office bearer of the party was facing any criminal or terrorism charges in any part of the country.
He declined to comment when asked about the international charges of terrorism levelled against some of the party’s leaders and members for involvement in subversive activities. Instead, he said that the ECP had no justification to turn down MML’s request for getting registered with the commission.
Further, Saif Ullah said that his party had challenged the ECP decision in Islamabad High Court through a petition submitted against ECP and the federal government, while adding that replies in this connection would be submitted by November 13.
In response to a question, the MML leader alleged that the federal government was helpless before the United States (US) and India, who on the other hand were united in cornering Islamic countries and its peaceful political movements.
He said that the US was known for its duel standards on the issue of terrorism which was clear when the superpower cleared Gulbadin Hekmatyar’s name from the wanted persons list.
Answering another query, Saif Ullah said that MML would never compromise on the issue of Kashmir, as the party considered it as the backbone of the country. He also said that the Laskar-e-Taiba was an independent body of indigenous Kashmiris who were fighting for self-determination. He vowed that his party would continue the political struggle until the goal of Kashmir’s liberation was achieved.
