Jamaat to choose new leader

Lahore: Accepting the resignation of its chief, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, the Jam-aat-e-Islami Majlis-e- Shura (council of elders) ended its marathon meeting at their headquarters in Mansoora and finalised three names - Syed Munnawar Hassan, Liaqat Baloch and Sirajul Haq - that are most suitable to lead the party.

The incumbent, Ahmad, had asked the Shura members not to consider his name on health grounds. Ahmad led the party for 21 years.

However, according to the party constitution any member can vote for any member.

The polling process which is held by postal ballot will be completed in April.

Some 30,000 Jamaat-e-Islami members from around the country will express their opinion during this poll.

Of three candidates nominated by the 82-member Shura, Hassan is the most experienced and holds the position of party's Secretary-General at the moment.

Baloch, though experienced, is considered representative of the post-Moudodi generation. Baloch is also an experienced campaigner and currently holds the position of Naib Amir.

A former Islami Jamiat-i-Talba Nazim, Baloch has been part of serious political wheeling and dealing throughout Ahmad's tenure. The third candidate, Haq is NWFP Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami.

He, like Baloch, has risen through the ranks and has been chief of JI's student wing Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba. Lately he served as finance minister during the previous MMA government in NWFP.