By: Khalid Iqbal
Karachi (July 9, 2017): Election campaign of PS-114 Karachi East by- polls has been ended with last power show of all three big parties- PPP, PTI and MQM-P, as they held big rallies addressed by their central leaders.
The by-poll on PS-114 will be held on July 9, Today.
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.
Later, the Supreme Court dismissed Mr Marwat’s appeal challenging the election tribunal’s decision paving the way for the by-polls.
Last day of the campaign the Chairman of PPP Bilwal Bhutto led the rally for party candidate Saeed Ghani. Addressing to rally Bilawal Bhutto said Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif were the two sides of the same coin and both believed in wealth.
“Both have turned the country’s politics in threats and abusive language,” he said.
Bilawal hoped that it seemed that change would start from PS-114. He alleged that MQM policies have seriously damaged Karachi image and peace.
Head of Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid entered in by-poll campaign in favour of PTI candidate Najeeb Haroon and led the final rally which rounds various parts of the PS-114.
Sheikh Rashid claimed in his address that crucial decision in Pakistan history will emerge within eight weeks. He said that Nawaz Sharif corruption has made the life of poor miserable, however Imran has challenged the cruel system.
People should cast their vote in favour of Haroon Najeeb as it was Imran’s best choice for the people of Karachi.
On the other hand, Muhajir Qaumi Movement Chairman Afaq Ahmed on Friday threw his party’s weight behind Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P) and announced that he will support the party in the upcoming elections in the metropolis’ PS-114 constituency.
Ahmed said that voters in the constituency should not waste their votes and should unite and make a decision as muhajirs.
PS-114 encompasses the city’s Mahmoodabad and surrounding areas.
“My support is with Kamran Tessori,” added Ahmed.
Candidates’ brief profile:
There are 21 candidates of six political parties including independent contesting for PS-114 seat, however following is the brief profile of main candidates.
Saeed Ghani (PPP)
He started his political career from PPP on local level and joined the labour Union after killing of his father Usman Ghani. He held the slot of leader of opposition in local government in Mustafa Kamal tenure. He had also enjoyed slot of party information secretary twice. He is senator and party has awarded him ticket for by-poll.
Kamran Tessori (MQM-P)
The candidate of MQM- Pakistan Kamran Tessori has just joined MQM in 2017 but became Rabita Committee member and now party awarded him ticket for PS-114. He started his career formPML-Q but switched to PML-F and contested 2013 election from NA-250 but conceded defeat.
The MQM won the PS-114 seat thrice in 1990, 1993 and 2008.
Najeeb Haroon (PTI)
Najeeb Haroon one of the founder member of PTI in Karachi and held the slot of Karachi president between 1996 to 2000, had vice president of PTI from 2000 to 2001 and held the post of vice president of Party Sindh Chapter from 2001 to 2003.
Ali Akbar Gujjar (PML-N)
He is the part of party’s organizing committee and had the post of vice president for short period. He contested from PS-119 on PML-N ticket in 2008 election. He was awarded ticket by PM Nawaz Sharif after consultation with party leadership.
Zahoor Jadoon (Jamaat-e-Islami)
Zahoor Jadoon is the local leader of JI and active in party activities in the area. He had paid of the responsibility as General Secretary of the party in past. JI chief Sirajul Haq awarded ticket after consultation with party local leadership.
The PTI has bagged the support of Irfanullah Marwat who had been a provincial assembly member from the same seat and JUP. PPP has got the support of Awami National Party (ANP). In a sudden development MQM Haqiqi’s Chairman Afaq Ahmed announced the support of MQM-P candidate.
Security Arrangements:
Election Commission, police and other law enforcement agencies have finalized the preparation for by-polls at PS-114 (Karachi, East) which will be held on July 9, Sunday.
A meeting of Election Commission for taking the final review of the by-election preparation was held at EC central office in the chair of provincial election commissioner Rana Pervez Malik.
Addressing to the meeting, Rana Pervez said that Rangers will be deployed at polling stations while the polling staff will reach at their concern polling stations a day before polling.
SSP East Faizullah Korejo told that 1250 police personnel will be deployed on all 92 polling stations of the PS-114 while 33 polling stations of them have been declared sensitive as additional police contingency will also be deployed on these polling stations.
The constituency comprises the localities of Mehmoodabad No 1 to Mehmoodabad No 6, Chanesar Goth, Manzoor Colony, Akhter Colony, Azam Basti, Kashmir Colony, Defence View and the KAECHS (Karachi Administration Employees Cooperative Housing Society).
Although the PPP could not become a significant stakeholder in the constituency in the past elections, this time round the party has fielded its secretary general for Karachi, Senator Ghani, in an effort to branch out of its traditional strongholds in Lyari and Malir.
In the 2013 polls, PML-N’s Marwat bagged 37,130 votes while MQM’s Rauf Siddiqui got 30,305 votes. Moreover, PTI’s Israr Abbasi got 13,807 votes while PPP’s Sajjad Ahmed Pappi only 3,827 votes.
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