Political activities thrive at PS-114 ahead of by-elections

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  • ECP to hold by-polls on July 9

Political activities in Karachi’s PS-114 have gained momentum ahead of July 9 by-elections in Sindh Assembly constituency, PS-114.

The constituency is located in Mehmoodabad and Manzoor Colony areas.

Four major parties—the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI)—are in the field, showing their strength by holding public meetings and rallies.

PTI’s Najeeb Haroon, JI’s Zahoor Ahmed Jadoon, PPP’s Saeed Ghani and MQM-Pakistan’s Kamran Tessori are in the fray for the seat.

In May 2013 general elections, PS-114 was won by Irfanullah Marwat on a PML-N ticket but his victory was declared void by the election tribunal in July 2014.

On May 11, the Supreme Court dismissed Marwat’s appeal challenging the election tribunal’s decision paving the way for the by-polls.

Officials said 27 candidates are contesting the election but the main contest is expected among the candidates of PPP, PTI, PML-N and MQM Pakistan.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is all set to hold the by-polls on 9th of July. ECP has announced that electioneering in the constituency will come to an end on midnight falling between 7th and 8th July.

JI CHIEF URGES MASSES TO EFFECTIVELY EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE:

Karachi deserves a culture of honesty and dignity, said Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Senator Sirajul Haq while addressing a public meeting on Thursday.

Addressing an event organised to campaign for Zahoor Ahmed Jadoon, JI candidate for PS-114 by-polls scheduled for Sunday, he said people could utilise their power to vote for changing their fate, as well as, that of their offspring.

“July 9 will be the day of accountability for the political parties ruling over Sindh for past several years,” he said and urged masses to cautiously use their right to vote.

While criticising Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), he said, their inability to deliver in the city and the province respectively has severely compromised the rights of the masses.

JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and Zahoor Ahmed Jadoon also addressed the residents of the area.

They reminded that most of the localities falling under the jurisdiction of PS-114 were registered during the tenure of Mayor Abdul Sattar Afghani (late), who belonged to the Jamaat-e-Islami.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT PPP CANDIDATE:

The Christian community members residing in the constituency of PS-144 on Thursday announced to support Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Saeed Ghani in the by-polls.

Christian Right Defence Council Coordinator Adil George Matto, while addressing a corner meeting organised by the PPP, said that all his colleagues and members of the community will vote for Saeed Ghani, a resident of the area known for his integrity.

PPP’s senior workers Najmi Alam and Javed Yousuf also spoke on the occasion and reiterated that their party believes in serving the masses without any distinction and discrimination.

“Our doors have been and will remain open to all Pakistanis,” said Najmi Alam.

Saeed Ghani, expressing his gratitude to the members of the Christian community for reposing their confidence in him, said that the PPP is a progressive party with strong roots among the people in general.

PML-N CONFIDENT OF A WIN:

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Karachi Division is hopeful of winning the PS-114 by-polls.

According to a statement issued here the other day, PML-N Karachi Division President Munawar Raza and Secretary General Khawaja Tariq Nazir stated that voters of PS114 would cast their votes in favour of PML-N candidate – Ali Akbar Gujjar.

They said that the voters would reject those who ruined the province and its cities.

They criticised MQM for frightening politics, PPP’s negligence towards basic rights of the people and PTI for its slogans.

The PML-N government brought back normalcy to Karachi so, now, people are spending their lives in comfort and without fear, the statement concluded.