NOWSHERA: Chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Maulana Samiul Haq has said that both Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal are not ready to accept his conditions for electoral alliance so his party has decided to contest the coming general elections on the party symbol of ladder.

“Both PTI and MMA are not ready to extend support to the JUI-S demands of an end to the US ‘influence’ in Pakistan and implementation of Sharia without delay. Our candidates will contest elections from JUI-S platform,” he said while talking to mediapersons at Akora Khattak on Sunday. He urged party workers to step up the election campaign without delay.

Earlier, Mr Haq had said that both MMA and PTI wanted political alliance with JUI-S, but the party had not yet decided on the matter.He, however, said seat-to-seat adjustment with any political party was under consideration.

He said the JUI-S had no political adjustment with any political party in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan, and had empowered the provincial chiefs to decide their strategies according to the situation.

He said talks with PTI were continuing for seat-to-seat adjustment on some constituencies.

Meanwhile, the MMA has started preparations for holding a public meeting at Kheshgi on June 27, which would be addressed by top leadership of the alliance, including JI chief Sirajul Haq, Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, Maulana Fazlur RehmanMadani, Maulana Gul Naseeb Gul, Asif Lauqman Qazi and Pir Zulfiqar Bacha, said the MMA sources.

The sources said a large number of activists of other parties were expected to join the MMA on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2018