PTI to engage JUI-F on 'issue-by-issue basis' after alliance efforts stall

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has said it will continue to coordinate with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl on specific issues, while acknowledging that attempts to build a wider opposition alliance have not succeeded because of mistrust and political differences between the two sides.

PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the party’s earlier efforts to create a broader opposition front had been exhausted, but maintained that engagement with JUI-F would continue on an issue-by-issue basis, in line with the position taken by the latter.

The development comes after talks between the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aeen-e-Pakistan and JUI-F failed to produce any meaningful result, with both camps holding each other responsible for the breakdown in opposition coordination.

JUI-F has accused PTI, the main component of the opposition alliance, of going back on its position during discussions on the 26th Amendment, saying this had created mistrust between the two parties. It also cited what it described as a lack of leadership within PTI as a factor behind the failure to move towards a broader alliance.

PTI, however, rejected the suggestion that its stance on the 26th Amendment had changed, saying its position had been clearly communicated to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman during meetings. The party also said it had expected Fazlur Rehman not to back the amendment’s passage.

According to PTI, the JUI-F chief not only acted contrary to its advice but also gave what it called a misleading impression about PTI’s position on the issue. PTI further contended that during deliberations on the amendment, Fazlur Rehman had explored the possibility of a seat adjustment in Dera Ismail Khan as a quid pro quo. Then chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur had shown willingness for any number of seat adjustments, subject to approval from the party founder.

PTI said JUI-F ultimately sided with the government, which it described as a betrayal of the opposition, and also accused Fazlur Rehman of intentionally keeping his position unclear in order to preserve communication with the government.

Sheikh Waqas Akram said this was the instruction given by PTI founder Imran Khan to the party. He said PTI had met the JUI-F chief several times for that purpose, but added that Fazlur Rehman had sought time to consult his party leadership before later declining the proposal.

"We met the JUI-F chief several times to this effect. The Maulana, however, sought time to discuss our proposals with his party leaders and later turned down their offer, saying that the JUI-F executive council had deliberated over the proposal and decided to work with opposition parties only on an issue-by-issue basis," he said.

Akram said PTI still hoped JUI-F would adopt a clear position on public issues, including inflation, law and order, and the 28th amendment. He also said the recent contact was not directly between PTI and JUI-F, but had taken place through the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aeen-e-Pakistan and should be understood in that context.

JUI-F cites mistrust and PTI’s internal divisions

On the other hand, JUI-F said it remained open to cooperation with opposition parties, including PTI, on national matters. JUI-F leader Maulana Amjad said there was currently no active development under way in the opposition camp.

"We have already announced a nationwide protest at the district headquarters level against inflation on 22 May," Maulana Amjad told The Express Tribune. He said no opposition party had been invited to join the protest because it was a JUI-F initiative alone.

He said two major issues stood in the way of any possible alliance with PTI: unresolved mistrust linked to the 26th Amendment and what he described as the absence of effective leadership in PTI. He also said infighting within PTI remained an insurmountable impediment to any alliance and added that the situation was benefiting the government in parliament.

"Absence of any formidable opposition is akin to giving a walkover in the legislative assembly to the government," he said.

Maulana Amjad further said PTI’s internal divisions had weakened its political standing and added that the party’s present focus remained the issue of Imran Khan’s release.