PESHAWAR, Sept 26: The provincial executive council of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl has proposed that the next local bodies’ elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be held on ‘proportional representation’ basis.

Giving details of the council meeting here on Thursday, JUI deputy chief Maulana Attaur Rehman said that his party was ready to form alliance or make seat adjustment with all political parties and groups in the local bodies’ polls in the province.

He said that the council had authorised the district chapters of the party to form alliance with political parties. The district chapters had been empowered to allot of tickets to suitable candidates, he added.

The JUI leader said that if local bodies’ polls were held on proportional representation basis then it would strengthen the system and devolve powers to grassroots level.

However, he failed to explain the term ‘proportional representation’ when asked by the journalists.

Mr Rehman, who lost by-polls to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf candidate in Lakki Marwat, alleged massive rigging and use of government machinery in by-elections. He said that women voters were barred from casting vote in 52 polling stations in NA-27, Lakki Marwat.

“The so-called champion of women rights, who considers JUI a fundamentalist and conservative party, has deprived thousands of women of their basic right,” he said, adding that PTI exposed itself. He said that Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not take notice of the brazen violation of the code of conduct in the by-polls.

The JUI leader said that Chief Minister Pervez Khattak along with cabinet members had stayed in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank for two days to manipulate elections. He alleged that government machinery was used in polls and his party requested ECP to stop interference in the polls but in vain.

“I congratulate PTI for usurping rights of women,” Mr Rehman said and claimed that despite ragging and alliance among PTI, PPP and PML-N in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank, JUI-F maintained its vote bank.

When asked about PTI chairman Imran Khan’s proposal about allowing Taliban to open their office in Pakistan, the JUI-F leader said that instead of opening office, the government should specify place for talks with Taliban.

“I think Bani Gala or Peshawar will be very suitable for opening office of Taliban,” he said.

The JUI council through a unanimous resolution condemned suicide attacks on All Saints Church in Peshawar on Sunday last and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and entire Christian community in the country. The attack tarnished the image of Pakistan and Muslims in international community, it said.

The council believed that bombing of church was in attempt to sabotage efforts for holding peace talks between government and Taliban. It asked the federal government to take steps for restoration of peace in the light of joint decisions of All Parties Conference.

The council also expressed concern over losses of lives in earthquake in Balochistan and demanded of the government to expedite relief activities in the affected areas.

Another resolution castigated statements of PTI parliamentarians in National Assembly about amendments in blasphemy laws. The resolution said that some elements were trying to carry out agenda of the west and Jewish lobbies, but warned that JUI would not allow foreign agents to bring changes in the said laws.