The recent alliance between Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for the coming elections has come at a time when initiatives are under way for the revival of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA). The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has a different political temperament when compared to other provinces of Pakistan.

After the American and Nato intervention in Afghanistan, majority of the KPK people supported the MMA. When the MMA tenure was completed, the people voted the ANP to power in the next election. Despite the fact Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was absolutely a new entrant in the province, it got quite astonishing and successful results. Reportedly, Maulana Samiul Haq has strongly snubbed those forces that are instrumental in the revival of MMA once again.

At present people of the province feel that their religious inclination can’t be exploited anymore for the benefits of those so-called religious leaders who just exploit religion for their own personal motives. If we look into the past formation of the MMA, some analysts are of the opinion that the component parties were directed to constitute this religious alliance because it was the need of the day with special reference to the scenario that existed in the region after the American intervention in Afghanistan.

Maulana Samiul Haq’s alliance with Imran Khan’s PTI is absolutely a new phenomenon in the politics of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that would certainly dry clean the charges leveled against Imran Khan by JUI-F Ameer, Maulana Fazlur Rehman. It is the irony as well as tragedy of our politics that people are being misled by attractive slogans. No one knows why the MMA was formed and then why it was dissolved. Was it only a ladder for gaining power in the province or it had some objectives too, to revive Islamic injunctions in the province as claimed at that time by the MMA leaders?

If we analyse the political philosophy of Imran Khan, he very explicitly claims launching a crusade against corruption in Pakistan and his dream is to introduce a fair and honest system of governance in Pakistan. This concept can’t be disputed as every citizen of Pakistan wishes to enjoy equal opportunities, political justice and a peaceful, secure life.

Though the schedule for the next election is not very clear, this proposed alliance looks a little earlier and to some extent fruitful for both parties. The JUI-S has thousands of its graduates from the historic Darul Uloom Haqqania throughout the province and they would certainly play a vital role in stimulating this alliance to get better results in the next coming elections.

If we look into the past political history of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 1970, this province has shown absolutely different election results as compared to other provinces. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have strong religious, cultural and ethnic ties with the neighbouring Afghanistan. It is evident that this alliance would also be a good omen in establishing harmonious ties between the two brother Muslim states. Maulana Samiul Haq has specific personal influence in the religious circles of Afghanistan and one can hope that his alliance with Imran Khan would certainly bring some good results.

While the JUI-S is the first political party to have entered election alliance with the PTI, Jammat-e-Islami, being a partner in the present coalition government, is busy reviving the MMA. The JUI-S Ameer was justified in forming this alliance because his conditions for the revival of MMA were not met by the JUI-F and the JI as they still enjoy perks in the federal and provincial governments. Some analysts are of the opinion that the PML-N is losing religious support in Punjab and other provinces, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman has been assigned the task to revive the MMA and then resultantly that alliance will support the PML-N at least in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This proposed alliance has certainly jolted the religious circles of the province but some political analysts consider it not only a surprise but rather a sixer against those political parties who are persistently exploiting the religious inclination of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

If we look into the lining up for the forthcoming elections in the country, the PTI chief seems involved with full enthusiasm in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. He is very much clear in his thoughts. Dreams take the shape of reality only when one is firm in one’s own objectives. The JUI-S has Deoband school of thoughts while Imran Khan is purely carrying the philosophy of a liberal and social democrat. Political circles in the province can rightly hope that this alliance will bring a positive change in the lives of the people of the province.