Rashid Naseem, a prominent leader of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP), said his party is looking forward to forming a political alliance with Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan in the next parliamentary elections.

Naseem, who is in the Kingdom to perform Umrah, spoke to Arab News on Monday, discussing latest political scenario of Pakistan.

He said his party did not openly support PTI’s and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) decision to hold protests in Islamabad because it would have contributed to undemocratic measures in Pakistan — a country that has witnessed several army coups in the past.

He said his party believed in dialogue and that “political consensus is the only way to promote democracy and avoid any change, which is not good for the country in the long run.”

Commenting on the recent reports of a possible dialogue between the government and PTI, Naseem said: “It is a good sign that both parties have realized there is no other option to end the political deadlock but to find a long-term solution to the crisis through negotiations.”

Naseem admitted his party has failed to play a major political role in the country.

“Change requires time,” he said adding that “the party has decided, under the leadership of Siraj-ul-Haq, to promote Islamic values and to highlight major issues faced by the middle and poor classes of the country.”

This, according to him, will help win hearts and minds of the masses.

Discussing the future political role of Gen. Musharraf, he said Pakistanis will not vote for the former president in next elections as many of his decisions proved to be disastrous for the country.

Naseem blasted the Islamic State (IS) militant outfit and other terrorist groups saying that Islam has no place for extremism. He lauded King Abdullah’s efforts to curb terrorism in the region.

He said that the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation by the army in the tribal areas of Pakistan has forced millions of people to leave their homes.

Those displaced should be rehabilitated, he said.

He criticized Hasina Wajed’s government for systematically persecuting Jamaat leaders in Bangladesh, saying they are being punished for supporting the Pakistan Army during the 1971 war.

Naseem stressed the need to use social media to help tackle major issues of Pakistan.

“Social media has become a powerful medium. We are looking forward to spreading positivism in Pakistan through the Internet, which we believe is a strong channel to curb terrorism and spread message of peace across the world,” he added.