DAMMAM: A visiting leader of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami has hinted at forming a grand political alliance to stop the current Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government from regaining power in the next general elections.
Speaking at a well-attended program organized by the Alkhobar-based Pakistan Forum at the Al-Nahda Club at the weekend, Dr. Farid Ahmad Paracha said his party’s primary concern is to defeat the American agenda in Pakistan.
He said: “The Americans are of the view that the current government that is led by the PPP and includes Awami National Party (ANP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) should continue in power even after the next elections.
“And so our efforts will be geared toward stopping these parties from coming back to power.”
Paracha said nothing has been decided as yet.
He added: “This is just the broad outline of a grand strategy.
“The contours of a possible grand political alliance will become evident soon.
“We are in touch with all parties including Imran Khan’s Tehrik-e-Insaf and Nawaz Sharif’s Muslim League, but so far we have not decided on any formal tie-up with any party.”
He stated that whenever such an alliance takes shape, it would be based on a mutually agreed program.
“We will keep in mind the interest of our party and that of the nation before forging such political alliances.”
The Jamaat leader said yet another possibility is forming an alliance of all religious parties.
Referring to the Muttaheda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) Paracha said: “We have had such a grouping in the past, and it was successful.
“Something similar can be formed this time as well.”
He said the Jamaat enjoyed immense goodwill among the population because of its clean track record.
“None of our members have ever been found guilty of any wrongdoing.
“Our members of National Assembly have a clean record; no one has ever accused them of getting any debt written off through dubious means or political chicanery.”
Paracha told Pakistani expatriates not to lose hope and play their part in putting the country back on track.
He said: “We are facing massive challenges on every front, but Jamaat-e-Islami has the blueprint to get things in order if we are voted into power.
“The struggle for a better Pakistan will continue at all times.”
Prominent among those who were present at the event were Pakistan Forum President Bashir Bhatti, chief patron M. Waheed Aslam, Riffat Rashid Abbasi, Shaukat Ali and Shahzad Ahmed Siddique.
