LAHORE: The July 25 general election got dirty as clashes and violence were witnessed in some areas of the country despite strict security measures as millions thronged polling stations to vote for their candidates.
A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker was killed during a clash with Awami National Party (ANP) supporters in Swabi and two others were injured in an exchange of fire between rivals outside a polling station for NA- 19 (Swabi II) and PK-47 (Swabi V) in Nawan Killi area.
The victim was identified as Shahzaib Khan.
Separately, at least three people were injured in a cracker attack at a polling station in Larkana. Polling was stopped in the area after the blast.
PTI and ANP workers also exchanged fire in Mardan, leaving some people injured.
A clash erupted between activists of two independent candidates’ groups at a polling station in Batera area of Kohistan. There were no reports of casualties, but the polling was halted there for the time being.
In Punjab, a man was shot dead and another was injured in NA-153 when two political groups clashed in Punjab’s Khanewal district, while several people were injured as workers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PTI came face-to-face in Punjab’s Rajanpur district. Police were deployed in the area to prevent violence after the incident.
Media reports stated that PTI and PML-N activists also clashed in Shahdara area of Lahore, whereas at least one person was injured when PML-N and PTI workers clashes in Rawalpindi’s NA-61 constituency.
A clash was also reported between two political groups in Gujranwala.
Five people were injured as political workers clashed in Sahiwal’s NA-148.
Another exchange fire took place between two political parties in Khushab’s NA-93 constituency. Meanwhile, PTI and PML-N men exchange blows in Pakpattan NA-145/146 constituency.
Surprisingly, a policeman thrashed a voter in Lahore’s NA-132 constituency, prompting action against the policeman by the higher authorities.
Separately, seven people were injured after clashes between two rival political groups at a women’s polling station in Khipro area of Sindh’s Sanghar district, following which polling was halted at a polling station.
The dispute started between voters of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) at a polling station in Yamin Hingorjo after a woman was stopped from casting the vote on technical reasons.
GDA’s Abid Hingorjo, who was injured in the clash, is said to be in a serious condition and has been shifted to Hyderabad. Other injured include GDA’s Nazar Hingorjo and Anwar Hingorjo and PPP’s Anwar Marri, Mir Muhammad Marri, Ali Ahmed and Kanndo Marri. They were shifted to Khipro taluka hospital.
At least three people were injured as PPP and GDA workers clashed in Matiari. Both sides reportedly used axes.
PPP leaders Azizullah Mangi and Siddique Mahesar were also injured in firing at a polling station in PS-84 Dadu.
Another person was killed in firing outside a Mirpurkhas polling station in NA-219 Dighri area. The victim was identified as Sikandar Noohani.
A scuffle erupted between PTI and PPP workers near a polling station in Zaryab Colony, Peshawar. The crowd was dispersed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police.
Five people were injured as political workers clashed in Sahiwal NA-148/PP-198.
Separately, a rocket attack was reported at BNP-Awami party camp in the Bonistan area of Panjgur district.
Moreover, media reports stated that at least two people were injured during an incident of firing at a polling station in Balochistan’s Naseerabad district, while 15 people were injured during a clash between workers of the PTI and Balochistan Awami Party in Bhatti Mohalla area of Jafarabad districts.
On Tuesday night, a hand grenade attack wounded at least two people at the Muslim Milli League’s (MML) office in Latifabad No 8 in Hyderabad.
The assault near the party’s office wounded the MML’s candidate from the NA-226 constituency, Faisal Nadeem as well as his driver.