A split between the two major components of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) surfaced in Senate for the first time on Friday when JI Senator Prof Ibrahim sought the Upper Houseâs support against NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani, who is from the JUI-F. The JUI-F and JI fielded separate candidates during the local council election in the NWFP, suggesting that both MMA components were at loggerheads.As Senator Ibrahim targeted Akram Durrani in his speech, JUI-F Senators Azam Swati and Prof Hidayatullah Shah interrupted him and asked him not to raise the issue on the floor and should talk to Akram Durrani on the telephone in case he had any grievances against him. The JI senator blasted the NWFP chief minister for targeting him in the media and trying to implicate him (Prof Ibrahim) in a bogus votes case against Akram Durraniâs cousin in Bannu district. âThe chief minister has threatened to have me arrested on TV and in the press for bringing fake women voters to cast votes against his relative,â he added.
Urging the Senate chairman to address his grievance because he was a member of the House and that he deserved the Senateâs support, Prof Ibrahim said, âI am not afraid of being arrested or of jail or of Akram Durraniâs threats, but I am seeking this support because I am a member of the Upper House of parliament.â