A day after its formation, Musharraf's 'grand alliance' falls apart

A day after former President General (retd.) Pervez Musharraf announced formation of Pakistan Awami Ittehad alliance, several parties dissociated themselves from the coalition on Sunday.

Musharraf had earlier announced the formation of a "grand alliance" of 23 parties.

The coalition fell apart after two major partners of the alliance - the Pakistan Awami Tehrik and the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen - pulled out of the alliance.

After Pakistan Awami Tehrik distanced from Awami Ittehad on Saturday, soon Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) also denied being part of the alliance, Pakistan's English daily, The News, reported.

Awami Ittehad is headed by Musharraf, while Iqbal Dar was appointed the Secretary General.

"Neither anyone has consulted us over an alliance nor any of our leaders attended meetings of any political or electoral alliance," the paper reported, quoting the MWM sources as saying.

Meanwhile, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza also clarified that his party's alliance with Awami Ittehad was not meant for the election.

He said the election politics will be done from the platform of grand alliance of Ahl-e-Sunnat parties i.e. 'Nizam-e-Mustafa Muttahida Mahaz'.