Election campaigns hijacked by TTP

Political parties are caught between crossfire of the campaigning rules set by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the threats from Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP).

Rallies and public speeches by party leaders are not happening with the same frequency and enthusiasm like the last election, and currently, there seems to be no indication that the pace of public campaigning will pick up.

Leaders of the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan People’s party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) agreed that the potential threats would automatically affect the outcome of the elections.

In order to avert militant threats, the ANP announced that the party would avoid huge gatherings and instead carry out a door-to-door campaign while the PPP launched a constituency-based campaign. MQM, however, decided to continue its public meetings but demanded foolproof security to avert any potential threats from the TTP, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and other extremist groups.

Those parties, which do not face a direct threat from the militants, including the Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, are also being cautious and have expressed concern over the security provided for public gatherings.

PPP is nervous

PPP leader, Saeed Ghani, admitted that his party was among the three main political groups being targeted by the terrorists. Referring to the late Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, he said that this was not the first time that the party was on the militants’ hit-list.

As for the elections scheduled for May 11, 2013, he said that the PPP would avoid large-scale rallies. “Although this will affect the votes, I think people have a clear idea of which political parties are with the terrorists and which ones are against them,” he said.

ANP under fire

According to ANP Sindh President Shahi Syed, at least 35 offices of the party at Sohrab Goth, Ittehad Town, Manghopir, Sultanabad, Kunwari Colony, Pashtunabad and Landhi had been closed by militants. He said that party flags were removed from these areas while some of the offices were also attacked. He was, however, confident that despite all the threats and difficulties, ANP will be successful in the elections.

“The government has collected all our weapons in the name of verification but it seems that they have raised their hands in defeat and have thrown us in front of the terrorists,” accused ANP’s Bashir Bilour. “We are, without a doubt, the most affected party when it comes to the threats by the militants.”

He told said that the party had forwarded an application to the DIG for foolproof security and also for the return of the seized weapons. “It is not possible for us to hold big rallies but we will continue our door-to-door campaign. Even if it affects the outcome of the elections, ANP will continue its fight against terrorism.”

MQM throws caution to the wind

MQM leader Wasay Jalil confirmed that they were also in the line of fire. “But we must organise public gatherings and rallies in order to counter threats from militants,” he said.

He added that the party’s voters were committed to the party since 1988.

“Karachi is the city of educated people and despite the threats, people will come out to lend their support to MQM rallies and also cast their vote to elect party members.”