JI refuses to join hands with PTI to form coalition govt in KP

The Jammat-e-Islami (JI) has excused itself from forming a coalition government with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing that the latter "backtracked from its position at the last minute".

In a post on microblogging site X,  JI’s Central Naib Ameen Liaqat Baloch said after February 8 polls, PTI had contacted JI for a consensus on the way forward.

"Following this, [the then] JI Ameer constituted the committee comprising Liaqat Baloch, JI KP Ameer Prof Muhammad Ibrahim and Naib Ameer KP Inayatullah Khan to overview the situation," he added.

Baloch said the JI had expressed its disapproval of the poll results but welcomed the PTI-backed candidates who won the public mandate.

"JI had also decided to provide unconditional cooperation with these MNAs in terms of "party, constitutional, parliamentary protection, steadfastness of PTI workers in difficult situations and democratic values."

"The JI's decision was welcomed by PTI but in the last stage PTI leadership conveyed the message that they only wanted a coalition in KP, while for the national assembly, they don't want JI's cooperation," Baloch added.

“JI has decided that coalition with PTI at the national level would be in the national interest, but if the PTI has changed its position, then they can settle their affairs with whoever they want in KP,” he concluded.

A day earlier, PTI central information secretary Raoof Hassan said that his party would make a coalition government with JI in KP.

The decision was aimed at getting reserved seats for women and minorities in the provincial government.