By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan’s mainstream Islamic parties on Thursday opened discussion to revive alliance the “Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal” (MMA) that could mobilize opinion against the growing US influence and end sectarianism, a spokesman for a religious party said.
Abdul Jalil Naqvi, spokesman for Islami Tehrik, said that all top leaders are attending the meeting, who will explore ways to revive the 2002 six-party alliance.
Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi, chief of Islami Tehrik and leader of ‘Millat-e-Jafria’ is hosting the meeting, which is third held in recent months.
MMA had secured many seats in the parliament in the 2002 general elections and had also formed government in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province.
But the alliance broke after differences surfaced over taking part in general election in 2008 in the presence of former president Pervez Musharraf.
The leaders have held three meetings but have not yet succeeded to revive the alliance as a major party Jamiat ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) is partner in ruling coalition led by Peoples Party of President Asif Zardari.
Leaders of another main party Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) wants JUI-F quit the government for the revival of the alliance but it seems unwilling.
Analysts say the MMA could win support in the public if it is revived in view of the growing American intervention in Pakistan’s internal affairs.
Naqvi hoped that the leaders would succeed to remove differences in the Thursday’s meeting.
The leaders of the Islamic parties in Pakistan believe they are better placed to benefit from the anti-US feelings sweeping the country due to inability of some of the other parties to take a clear stand against the US and condemn its policies towards Pakistan and other Muslim countries.
The MMA leaders are hopeful that they can enjoy public support in the upcoming parliamentary elections by campaigning on an anti-US and pro-Taliban platform.
The MMA, if revived, can also accommodate other parties, like Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf of cricket-turned politician Imran Khan for his strong anti-US approach.
Besides, JUI-F, JI, leaders of Jamait ulema-e-Pakistan, Jamiat Ahli-Hadith and splinter group JUI-S are attending the meeting, Naqvi said.