'PTI seeks alliance with JUI-F but past acrimony still a hurdle'

• JUI-F expects PTI to take concrete steps to address concerns.
• Fazl-led party insists on leading opposition alliance: sources.
• PTI has not yet responded to JUI-F's reservations.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is actively seeking an opposition alliance to challenge the current political system, but its past bad-mouthing against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman remains a major stumbling block.

According to an informed JUI-F source, PTI leaders, who have reached out to the party in hopes of forging a political partnership, have conveyed the JUI-F's reservations, particularly regarding past remarks made by PTI leaders against Maulana.

The source said while JUI-F does not demand a public apology, it expects PTI to take some concrete steps to address the concerns of its supporters, who remain deeply offended by PTI's past verbal attacks against the Maulana.

Despite ongoing discussions, PTI has yet to respond to JUI-F’s concerns. Sources said that the JUI-F has not insisted on leading the opposition alliance but has conveyed its concerns to the PTI. The PTI was told to respond to the JUI-F's reservations but the former has not yet replied.

Beyond JUI-F, PTI faces resistance from other opposition factions. Critics argue that PTI, despite being the largest opposition party, cannot unilaterally dictate terms to its potential allies. The lack of consultation has raised concerns, with opposition parties wary of PTI’s political style.

While PTI has announced plans for nationwide protests after Ramadan, parties like JUI-F and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's Awam Pakistan were not consulted. This exclusion has fuelled scepticism about PTI’s willingness to work collectively.

In a TV talk show on Sunday, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi emphasised that PTI's founder, Imran Khan, must reform his approach to Pakistan's political stability. He dismissed PTI's hopes that the Trump administration would intervene for Khan's release, stating that the US is unlikely to interfere in Pakistan’s domestic affairs.

Abbasi acknowledged PTI's strong public support but warned that if the party continues with its past style of politics, it will struggle to gain broad political backing. "The 72-year-old leader must reflect on past mistakes and focus on party reformation," he said.

JUI-F has been hesitant to form alliances with PTI. Last year, Maulana Fazlur Rehman ruled out such a possibility, stating that his party would continue its anti-government activities independently."Our past experience with alliances has not been favourable, so we prefer to keep our struggle separate," he remarked.

However, the JUI-F has kept communication lines open with the PTI on an issue-to-issue basis rather than committing to a formal alliance. During discussions on the 26th Constitutional Amendment, Fazl reiterated his preference for lowering tensions rather than entering a full-fledged political partnership.

While PTI continues efforts to build an opposition alliance, scepticism from JUI-F and other political groups remains a major hurdle. Whether PTI can address these concerns and foster unity in the opposition ranks remains to be seen.

Originally published in The News