Alliance under Musharraf falls apart on second day

ISLAMABAD: Several parties have dissociated themselves from Awami Ittehad alliance only a day after the announcement of its formation under the leadership of former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

After Pakistan Awami Tehrik distanced from Awami Ittehad on Saturday, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) also denied being part of the alliance. MWM Central Spokesman Allama Mukhtar Imami said his party has not decided to join any alliance.

MWM officials said their leaders are focused on the recovery of their missing party leader Nasir Sherazi. "Neither anyone has consulted us over an alliance nor any of our leaders attended meetings of any political or electoral alliance," they said, adding that the party has not approved participation in any alliance.

Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza also clarified that his party's alliance with Awami Ittehad is not meant for the election. 

He said the election politics will be conducted from the platform of the grand alliance of Ahl-e-Sunnat parties: 'Nizam-e-Mustafa Muttahida Mahaz'. 

He asked the Punjab government to stop arresting Ulema Ahl-e-Sunnat involved in the ongoing Islamabad sit-in.

It should be noted that over a dozen parties among 23 which claimed to be members of Musharraf's Awami Ittehad are non-functional while activities of several others are very limited.        

Originally published in The News