Pakhtun nationalist parties map out election strategy

Pakhtun nationalist parties believe that despite serious differences between JUI and JI over participation in the January 8 elections, the religious alliance would contest the polls jointly for which the nationalist leaders have devised a strategy.
"This is a fact that there is difference of opinion between Maulana Fazl and Qazi Hussain, but still MMA will participate in elections from one platform," said Awami National Party secretary general Mian Iftikhar Hussain.
"The atmosphere in 2002 was different to that of today," said Iftikhar while talking to Business Recorder on Friday. This posture will make a difference in the polls, he added. The big question is whether the MMA would repeat its 2002 feat! The religious-party alliance overwhelmingly won the last elections in NWFP. The alliance won most of 'anti-American vote' because majority of the people were angry over the US attacks on Taliban in Afghanistan.
The US military operation in Afghanistan also killed hundreds of Pukhtuns who went to the neighbouring country to help Taliban. The MMA, allegedly formed by the intelligence agencies, participated in the elections with totally anti-US and anti-Musharraf agenda that really worked wonders.
Mian Iftikhar said according to the assessment of the nationalists the MMA would stay intact despite the differences between Qazi and Fazal. "The MMA should have been split, when Maulana Fazal intentionally delayed the dissolution of the NWFP Assembly before the October 6 presidential election," Iftikhar said.
The ANP, which has electoral alliance with Pukhtunkhwah Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), stands a fair chance to win elections if they were held in a free, impartial and transparent manner. The ANP stands more strengthened today as compared to 2002, Iftikhar claimed.
"Today, the Pukhtun belt is facing some serious challenges. We are ready to face these challenges by uniting all the Pukhtuns," he said. We also support the eradication of terrorism from Pukhtun soil. But it should not be done in a way that brings destruction to the peace-loving masses. The right way is the only way that can end terrorism, he added.
He said that the war on terror in the present form is only meant to destroy Pukhtuns. This will not solve the problem. It will further aggravate the situation. The centuries old Jirga system could be quite effective to tackle this situation, he opined.
The ANP, he said, supports the idea of bringing reforms in Fata, but all this should be done only in consultation with people of the tribal areas. If the tribal people support such solution, the ANP would support it. He said any solution to be imposed from outside would not be working.
He said that NWFP must be given the right to utilise provincial resources. If it happens, any government would be in a better position to generate employment, provide education, reduce poverty and bring prosperity in the province.