 The JUI became more politically active under Maulana Mufti Mahmood (1919–1980) who assumed its leadership in 1962.Under Mahmood during the 1960s the party "developed a strong presence" and base of support among the "intensely conservative countryside" of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).Mahmood led the JUI against Ayub Khan's modernization policies.