Hakeem Muhammad Ibrahim Qasmi, a former provincial leader of banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), had founded the Pakistan Rah-e-Haq Party (PRHP) in Peshawar in February 2012.
The PRHP has strong links to another political front of the SSP, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat’s Aurangzeb Farooqi. His speeches contain hateful comments about the Shia community and have frequently been used to rile up sectarian sentiments among the Sunni voters in Kurram.
In an interview with Daily Times, the PRHP candidate denied claims with either the ASWJ or the SSP and said that he was contesting the election based on his humanitarian work in the area. “After coming to power, we will work for all regardless of creed and caste,” he said.
Qasmi had first been elected as an MPA from PF-4,a Peshawar seat, in 2002 election. After his election, he extended support for the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), an electoral alliance of six religious parties.
Published in Daily Times, July 14th 2018.