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Religio-political alliance to exploit situation emanating from TLYR sit-in, Palestine situation
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Talks with PTI, PML-Q top agenda; PML-N, PPP at bottom of priority list
ISLAMABAD: Keeping in view the favourable environment for the religio-political parties in the wake of Faizabad sit-in, Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an alliance of right-wing religious parties— is all set to commence dialogue with mainstream political parties.
In view of religious outfits taking the centre stage, DPC supreme council had convened a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of an alliance with the major political players of the country’s politics, a DPC source told Pakistan Today.
The source said that the council had decided to exploit the situation emanating from the recent rally of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Ya Rasoolullah (TLYR) and nationwide protests by the religious lobby following the US decision pertaining to Jerusalem.
Earlier, US President Trump had decided to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel, gravely damaging the peace process and the two-state solution.
“In the wake of the recent sit-in at Faizabad Interchange in the name of the finality of prophethood (PBUH), the DPC believes it was an opportune moment to exploit the situation and capture the public mood,” added the source.
He further said, “The supreme council has decided to initiate dialogue with various political parties to decide which way the alliance would put its weight.”
DPC’s Supreme Council member Abdullah Gul confirmed the development, saying that the central leadership of the council would commence dialogue with the mainstream political parties from next week.
“A ten-member DPC delegation led by Maulana Samiul Haq would hold dialogue with the leadership of [all] major political parties from next week, he added.
In a comment on agenda of the alliance, Abdullah Gul said that the alliance would put its agenda before the other major political parties.
“We will see which party supports our agenda. We will ask their views about our demands and strategy for next elections. The DPC will be looking for a ‘natural ally’ and then contemplate over the possibility of an electoral alliance in the context of imminent general elections,” he said.
Talking further on the agenda, Gul said that the supreme council of the alliance was framing the agenda of the alliance for the political dialogue.
“Installation of an Islamic system would be our main point. We also plan to reverse the U-turn on Afghan policy adopted by General (r) Pervez Musharraf in 2001,” he said and added that the “Kashmir policy also needed a review”.
Mentioning no particular political party which the DPC looks towards for forming an alliance, Gul said that there were “no blue-eyed” [parties]; the DPC would hold dialogue with all mainstream political outfits with an open mind.
“However, evaluating the situation, we have decided to hold talks with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) and Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI),” he added.
Commenting on the recent alliance between JUI-S chief Samiul Haq and PTI’s Imran Khan, Gul said the meetings of Samiul Haq with Imran Khan were a part of political consultations; however, “there was no final decision [in this regard]”.
Expressing reservation over “PTI’s ultra-modern policies” [mix crowd], he said, “We will have to see how religious scholars will be able to attend PTI gatherings. We will, however, convey our reservations about PTI’s ultra-modern policies [to the relevant forum].”
He also did not rule out the possibility of a forging an alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, saying, “Definitely, we will be holdings talks with the PML-N leadership. We are holding talks with an open mind and without any biases.”
Being open-minded towards all the political parties, Gul said that the DPC only has problems with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership due to its anti-Taliban rhetoric.
“We have reservations about the public statements made by PPP’s [Chairman] Bilawal, who had made ‘objectionable remarks’ about the Taliban, Samiul Haq and Afghan jihad.”
The anti-Taliban and madrassah rhetoric has made the PPP a highly unlikely ally, said Gul, adding that the DPC has put consultation with PML-N and PPP leadership at the bottom of our priority list.
