Fazal elected President MMA as religious parties eye at coming elections

Naimat Khan

KARACHI: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), was elected as President of the Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA), which was revived last in December after a gape of twelve years, here on Tuesday.

Liaquat Baloch of Jamaat-e-Islami was elected as General Secretary of the alliance here during meeting at the residence of local leader in Defence Housing Authority area of the city.

Addressing a post-meeting media briefing Fazlur Rehman said that Pakistan was faced with complex problems and the alliance after forming government in center and provinces will gear up for resolving these issues.

The newly elected President of alliance of six religious parties said that Islam is a religion of peace and the MMA will stand for a peaceful Pakistan by hurdling the way of people with extremist mindset.

The restoration of MMA took place on 9 November 2017 in a second meeting at Mansoorah, Lahore in the presence of six Islamic parties Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) (JUI-F), Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ahle Hadith, Islami Tehreek and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan and other religious parties. While the formal announcement took place on 14 December 2017 at Karachi and thus MMA revived.

Fazlur Rehman, who was flanked by Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Sirajul Haq, Jamiat Ahle Hadith Sajid Mir, JUP Chief Shah Owais Noorani and others said that his party will stand for minorities and will ensure that their rights are protected as guaranteed by the constitution of Pakistan.

The announcement to fully revive the MMA was made by Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaquat Baloch. The JI leader said, “JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has been elected as MMA president while he himself (Liaquat Baloch) as Secretary General.”

Liaquat Baloch said the Central Workers Convention of MMA will be held in the first week of April. In December last, a meeting of these five major religious-political parties was held in Karachi and decided in principle to fully revive MMA.

The decision was made in a religious parties meeting in Karachi and was attended by JUI-P head Awais Noorani, JUI-F chief Mualana Fazalur Rehman, JI head Sirajul Haq, Tehrik-e-Jafaria Pakistan chief Allama Sajid Naqvi, head of Markzi Ahlehadith Sajid Mir and others.

The newly appointed president congratulated the entire nation on the revival of the party. “We have made way to the beginning of a new era,” Rehman told the journalists.”We hope to match the expectations of the nation.”

He further announced to contest the upcoming general elections under the joint platform, noting that the country needs peace and development.

Speaking on the occasion, JI Chief Siraj-ul-Haq said that the MMA had begun its journey with a new resolve and it will represent the citizens on all platforms.