The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) an alliance of politico religious parties has unveiled its 12-point election agenda, which the alliance claims to implement in letter and sprit if voted in power. Highlighting the salient features of the election manifesto the MMA chief Moulana Fazal Rehman said that implementation of Sharia Law, protection to Islamic laws existing in the constitution, establishing an independent foreign policy, land for landless peasants and jobs for locals in CPEC projects will be the top priority of the MMA government. With a view to protect minorities living in other parts of the world Fazl said, “The MMA wants to establish a global bloc of Muslim nations and strive for protection for Muslims who are minority communities in other countries”, he said. “A dignified and independent foreign policy will be ensured in the country if the people of Pakistan choose MMA in coming polls,” Rehman said adding that new provinces should not be made on ethnic and linguistic basis but the alliance won’t oppose any movement calling for new provinces. “We stand for giving employment opportunities to the native population in CPEC projects and for farmer-friendly policies,” he said. Rehman said that the alliance would ensure construction of new dams, effective mechanism for generation and distribution of power and will make a concrete strategy to counter India’s aggression over water supply to Pakistan.
It is good to see that unlike other political parties the religious alliance has at least realized the importance of building dams and water reservoirs to overcome the growing water crises in the country. However, it is quite interesting to see that the parties in the alliance, which have been talking on Kashmir issue so frequently in its meetings, had made no mention of Kashmir in the election manifesto. Although there is a reference of establishing Muslim bloc for the protection of Muslims communities in other countries but unlike past the K-word has not figured in the election agenda.
Any way, it is yet to see how far the 12 point election manifesto will help the MMA in furthering its vote base and luring the voters beyond its orthodox circles but one thing is clear that the each party associated with the alliance has its committed vote bank that can’t be eroded or swayed over by external forces whatsoever. Though it is a reality that no religious party is individually in position to win seats at large numbers but together they have enormous potential to change the political landscape of the country. They can even give a tough time to competitors particularly in KPK and Balochistan provinces where JI and JUI-F have strong organisational base and trained political workers. Secondly, a vast majority of MMA leadership hails from KPK, which gives it an edge over its political opponents. And it is for sure that this political advantage will be instrumental in the victory of the religious parties’ alliance. Moreover, the MMA had performed extremely well in KPK during 2008 elections and there are chances that the alliance may win a good number of seats in the upcoming elections.
