ISLAMABAD: The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) has announced to support former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi who is contesting the general elections for a National Assembly seat against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
The decision was made after the former prime minister visited the Islamabad office of the sectarian group, formerly known as Sipah-e-Sahaba, on July 10 and requested the party to support him in the elections. The ASWJ leaders had told the former prime minister that they would consider his request and consult their higher leadership on the matter.
After consultations, the ASWJ announced its electoral support to the PML-N candidate in the NA-53 constituency. ASWJ spokesperson said that the Jamaat has announced support for Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the elections after he (Abbasi) approached their party.
He said that the former prime minister had assured them of working for the legislation on the issue of ‘Namoos-e-Sahaba’ – sanctity and honour of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). However, the party clarified that the support was only for Shahid Abbasi and limited to the NA-53 constituency only.
Last month, the government had ordered to unfreeze assets of Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi and removed a ban on his ASWJ movement. A notification by the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) was issued on June 276 on the recommendations of the Punjab Home Affairs Department in this regard.
