ISLAMABAD: The two factions of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) – Fazl and Sami – are going to contest Senate election even though they don’t have the requisite number of members in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly.
JUI-Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F) has fielded four candidates from KP for the election despite knowing that it can only succeed in getting one senator elected through its members available in the KP Assembly. The nominated candidates are Moulana Gul Naseeb, Yaqoob Sheikh, Talha Mehmood and Naeema Kishwar.
Interestingly, as per a party leader, JUI-F members in KP assembly will be supporting Moulana Gul Naseeb because he is the provincial head of the party. In this case, other members, especially industrialist Senator Talha Mehmood may not get party members’ support.
However, insiders claim that since the senator, who is already enjoying the post through JUI-F, may secure his seat again by using his influence and resources.
“We cannot ignore the support and services of Talha Mehmood to the party. However, as per party policy, we need to support Gul in the Senate election,” said the party leader requesting anonymity.
On the other hand, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Samiul Haq (JUI-S) has fielded party chief Maulana Samiul Haq as an independent candidate for the Senate election without any support from provincial assembly members. However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as per the agreement between the two parties, will be supporting Sami.
His name, as a candidate, was proposed and seconded by two PTI members of KP Assembly, Abdul Karim and Mehmood, on Thursday.
According to sources, JUI-S in return for the support in the Senate election will support PTI in the 2018 general elections. The two parties had announced an alliance in November last year and agreed to formulate a joint strategy for the general elections.
Sources also said that irrespective of their affiliation with political parties, influential candidates including Azam Swati, Ayub Afridi, Khayal Zaman, Talha Mehmood, Sabir Shah and Ali Afzal Jadoon are most likely to secure their seats in Senate as they are rich and can use resources for horse-trading.