UPPER DIR: The provincial amir of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and former senior minister, Sirajul Haq, would visit Dir to persuade the dissident group of the party to withdraw from contest in line with the party decision. The party in Upper Dir district, believe to be the stronghold of JI, is facing a widening rift over the boycott decision of its chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad, causing a lot of problems for the ostensibly disciplined JI.
The party had tasked its provincial amir to convince the dissident group on honouring the party decision of poll boycott. The party local sources informed that Siraj would visit the town on Dec 20 to force the panel to withdraw from the contest. “He is going to make an important announcement in this regard,” a party informed source said. Some party insiders claimed the rebels would be expelled from the party. However, another account revealed that Siraj would come as a jirga to request them to respect party decision.
The party is facing embarrassment due to the decision of the dissident group to take part in elections. The workers of the opposition parties ridicule the much-trumpeted “Nazm” of the party.
Four party workers including two former MPAs, Fareed Khan and Hayat Khan, have revolted against boycott decision and opted to contest the coming polls in violation of the party instructions. Those advocating for the participation of elections are of the view that boycott would weaken the party and its workers, at least at local level. The dissidents say they could not leave the party workers at the mercy of opposition parties. They also fear that majority of the party workers would join other parties.
JI was expecting to win all the provincial seats from the district but the boycott decision dashed the hopes of many party nominees. Fareed is still hopeful to win his despite the opposition of his own party.
____________________________