By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan’s main Islamic party has elected Syed Munawar Hassan as its new chief, Jamaat-e-Islami announced on Saturday.
Hassan will replace Qazi Hussain Ahmed, who served two times as the party chief.
Jamaat-e-Islami elects chief through secret ballot and only members can vote in election.
A party announcement said that 91.30 per cent of the members cost vote, electing the new chief calls ‘Amir’ for a five-year term.
Formed on August 26th, 1941 by Syed Abul Aala Maududi, the party has elected four chiefs so far. Syed Abul Aala Maududi was elected Jamaat’s first chief in 1941. He served till 1972.
Mian Tufail Muhammad was elected the 2nd chief of Jamaat in 1972 after the party’s founder said he cannot continue due to poor health condition.
Qazi Hussain Ahmed was elected the 3rd chief in 1987 who also told the central council that he should not be included in the list of three leaders proposed for election for the party chief due to health condition.
The central council had nominated Munawar Hassan, Liaquat Baloch and Siraj-ul-Haq to be considered for the party top position.
A total of 23,486 members were issued ballot papers, asking them to elect anyone from the three names and that the members can also consider any other man from the members.
He had been working as Jamaat secretary general till his election as the chief of the party.