Alliance in danger? Maghfirat Shah may lose race
CHITRAL, June 21: Jamaat-e-Islami Chitral chief and former district nazim Haji Maghfirat Shah’s dream to sit on the coveted seat once again seems dashing to the ground before being materialized.
After becoming the largest seat winners in the recent local government elections in Chitral, the alliance of religious political parties – Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) – had announced that Haji Maghfirat Shah would be their candidate for the portfolio of district nazim. However, highly reliable sources in the alliance told ChitralToday that after the announcement the provincial leadership of the JUI expressed its annoyance with its Chitral chapter. The JUI leadership was of the view that its ally, the JI, should comply with the agreement signed between both the religious parties before the LG elections. The agreement explicitly stated that any party securing a maximum number of seats in the direct elections, particularly in the district council, would head the respective set-up whereas the party with a less number of seats would support it.
When the results of the elections were announced, the JUI secured seven seats whereas the JI won only six seats. However, after mutual negotiations, the JI succeeded to convince the JUI district leadership about its strength in the district council after calculating the reserved seats. After the inclusion of reserve seats, the number of JI members in the district council reached 11 whereas the JUI got a total of 10 seats because it (JUI) could not submit nomination papers for the seat reserved for minorities.
But the JUI provincial leadership saw it as a betrayal by the JI because under the agreement between both the parties it was the majority of seats in the first phase of elections ie before calculating the reserves seats.
The sources also told ChitralToday that some strong circles in the JUI Chitral were also opposed to the decision of giving the district mayorship to the JI and had approached the JUI provincial and national leadership complaining that though the JI had failed to fulfill its promises and abide by the agreement in letter and spirit, giving the post of the district nazim to Maghfirat Shah would be a surrender to the JI.
To get an insight of the political situation, the JUI provincial general secretary, Maulana Shujaul Mulk, paid a visit to Chitral a few days ago and met different individuals.
The sources confirmed that almost all major political parties, including PTI, APML and PPP, were on the same page and had assured the JUI of their support in getting the slot.
The sources claimed that now the JUI would ask the JI to comply with the initial agreement and give the seat of the district nazim to JUI otherwise the party would go for another option.
They also revealed that in the new set-up the JUI would gain the post of district nazim and tehsil nazim Chitral while PTI convener district council and nazim tehsil council Mastuj and naib nazim tehsil council Chitral whereas tehsil naib nazim Mastuj will go for APML.
This problem has been resolved and the uncertainty has been eradicated from its very root. A big round of applause for the JUI leadership Chitral for keeping their word and for being with JI against all odds at the time when they were facing back scratching within and from outside them. May this unity live long and become un-defeatdable and make a history in the history of the land of peace, Insha’Allah.
Maulana Abdur Rahman and Maghfirat Shah both are the best. We should welcome them.
Let we see what will be happen? My predictions were true?
Mr. Sattar, look before you leap. There aren’t any charges as you mentioned on Mr. Shah. JI is the only international party in the country. Not the party but the people select their Ameer through secret balloting. That’s the confidence that he is the Ameer JI of Chitral and I am sure that Mr. Shah will be the District Nazim very soon once again Insha’Allah.
Don’t be personalize Mr. Sattar, your allegations are baseless.
Dear Sattar, look at the past of Mr. Shah he has convicted at explosive case theft of ‘Golen Gol’ project. This is the past of Mr. Shah. If their is any other option that’s right.
The situation is like “Ham chale, Dushman jale”. All the matter presented in the lines in based on assumption having no solid footing. The alliance is as strong as before and there is no question of any rift between the two natural allies who have won the confidence of the large cross-section of people in the polls.
@zahiruddin: Ham chale dushman jale, kia khub, waah. Could you please enlighten us today about your thought which you were having on June 21, about this story of a possible break up of the alliance. We believe you and hope this alliance is still as strong as before, as you have stated. If it is not, then tomorrow you have to apologize for saying that the lines were based on assumption having no solid footing.
Maulana Abdur Rehman would be much better Magfirat Shah who is famous for his U turns and controversial decisions. Mr.Shah was behind the allocation of billions of Ruppees to thrive company and ensured that AKRSP and SRSP are out of the bidding process. Being district Nazim he preferred a company over established local RSPs which resulted in embezzlement of millions of Ruppees. Mr.Shah in return received millions from Thrive which he invested on the Hydrel station he is building in Jughore. He also took many over U turns over construction of the AKU’s PDC center in Jughore. When he needs votes from Chashma and Biyar he announces support for the project and when he needs votes from Lower Chitral, he is the biggest opponent of this project. Mr.Shah’s purchase of stolen explosives from Golen Gole Project also raises questions on his dignity. His selection as Amir e Jamaat also raises question over Jamat’s famous principles. In elections of 2008 when JI had boycotted , Mr.Shah was campaigning for an independent candidate associated with PPP. In elections of 2013 instead of supporting Mawlana Sher Aziz of his own Jamat, Mr.Shah was campaigning for another independent candidate. Despite all U turns , allegations of corruption and deviation from jamats policies he is stil Amir e Jammat. I wonder does this guy qualify for the position of Amaarat ? Does he qualify to lead Chitral as a Nazim ? Is he Sadiq and Ameen ? and will those who have voted for him really go to Jannah because of it ? How can this guy claim to be Varis ul Anbia ?
Mr Hakim. You have summed it up very nicely. Making Maghfirat Shah JI Ameer is the biggest question mark on the party which is known for its principles.