Srinagar: In a jolt to the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Jamaat-e-Islami has sacked its chief of Political Bureau Ashraf Sehrai and also suspended his basic membership in the party for "hobnobbing" with the pro-Pakistan leader (Geelani) in clear violation of party's advisory council.

Sehrai, who is a close associate of Geelani, was conveyed the decision last night (Mar 2, 2004) through a letter written by Jamaat chief Nazir Ahmed Kashani, sources in the Jamaat said.

The letter said that the decision was taken in view of his "ambiguous" reply to the explanation sought over his "hobnobbing" with Geelani.

The sources said Kashani had taken strong exception to Sehrai sharing the stage with Geelani and attending functions organised by the amalgam although Jamaat had decided to maintain equidistance from both factions of Hurriyat following the split in September.

Kashani said Sehrai was shirking his responsibilities and violating discipline by displaying his liking for one of the two groups. The Majlis-e-Shura (advisory council) of Jamaat had decided not to support any of the factions and to make efforts to unite the amalgam.

Observing that Sehrai's activities seemed to be motivated, the Jamaat chief said he was given a chance to explain his actions but his reply was neither clear nor satisfactory.

All the members of Jamaat-e-Islami are supposed to follow the decisions taken by the Majlis-e-Shura and the conduct of the members should not mislead the people about the policies of the party, Kashani said.