KARACHI / SUKKUR: Braving the dharnas, rallies, black days and a province-wide strike called by the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, thousands of students across Sindh sat for their intermediate exams on Thursday amid the elections’ hangover that refuses to go away.

Karachi will see more than 160,000 science, commerce, home economics and medical technology students file into 165 examination centres in the first phase of the exams, to continue till June 6, held under the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK). Two papers, English and Urdu, were held in two shifts on the first day.

At a pre-exam meeting held at the commissioner officer, the BIEK had declared 21 centres as sensitive and 12 as highly sensitive owing to the precarious law and order situation in the city. The centres fell in areas that included Lyari, Landhi, Orangi Town and Sultanabad. During the meeting, Rangers and police officials had assured the board officials of deploying their troops to prevent any untoward situation. It was, however, observed that inadequate security measures were in place outside most of them.

Besides the security, other arrangements appeared to be relatively better than the preceding year when severe load-shedding made students miserable at around 40 per cent of the centres.

Imran Khan Chishti, the BIEK controller examinations, said that district-level vigilance teams and a super vigilance team was formed by the board to check all arrangements, including electricity supply, drinking water provision, measures against use of unfair means and presence of security officials.

Earlier, BIEK chairperson Anwar Ahmed Zai visited various examination centres along with a team of journalists. Despite official orders that all photocopy shops in and around examination centres be closed during exam hours, the journalists came across a functioning machine inside the premises of Sir Syed Government Girls College in Nazimabad.

Scant security arrangements were seen outside the 33 sensitive centres in the city

The next stop was Jinnah Government College for Boys, situated right next to the BIEK office. “They should at least arrange proper lights for us,” complained Imran Mohsin, one of the 700 candidates sitting in a dark hall of the college. The BIEK officials immediately sent for more lights to be arranged.

Reports of cheating and use of unfair means continued to pour in from different centres throughout the day.

The second phase of the exams will be held in June for which over 79,000 privately enrolled arts students will take the exam.

Students in Sukkur get ‘assistance’

The annual Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) Part I and II exams started on Thursday in Sukkur division amid widespread reports of cheating from many centres. The exams were held under the auspices of Sukkur Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, in Sukkur, Ghotki, Khairpur and Naushero Feroze districts.

The controller examination, Mehmoodul Hassan Khokhar, said that around 34,000 HSC-II students sat for the Islamic Education part II held on Thursday while 33,000 HSC-I students are registered with the board. He said that the Sukkur board has constituted 17 teams to pay surprise visits to examination centres to check cheating. Khokhar said that in total 101 examination centres have been set up in the four districts under his watch.

The district administration, meanwhile, imposed section 144 outside centres which disallows gathering of more than five people. The ban, however, was being openly defied as a sizable crowd was seen outside the examination halls providing logistical support to their respective candidates.

Besides imposing section 144, the administration also issued directives to close down all photostat shops in the vicinity of examination centres to put a stop to the copy culture. It was, however, observed that most shopkeepers were operating out of their homes and other shops to ‘facilitate’ their customers.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2013.

A media storm followed. Some said that her decision to contest was already a big win for the rights of transgender persons across the country. Nonetheless, there was a hint of disappointment in Sanam’s voice after the results for PS-1 – the seat she was vying for – were announced.

Sanam had been assured of full support by quite a few people. Augmenting her popularity was the fact that she was not wealthy and ran a welfare organisation, Sanam Fakir Welfare Association, with financial support from philanthropists.

She had become so popular that different political parties who had their eyes on the same provincial assembly seat started propaganda against her. Right up to polling day, rumours floated that she was going to step out of the race as she accepted huge sums of money from other candidates and parties. Some mocked Sanam while others cheered her on with the rhetoric of change.

While talking to The Express Tribune, Sanam said, “I knew very well that it was an uphill task to win while competing against experienced politicians who have been in the field since decades.” She added she feels people want a change, but are afraid of sending new people in the parliament.

“It seems they are happy with same old faces who promise them a positive change. But when old players come to power, they only look after their own interests,” she said. “I am thankful to those who voted for me. I’m also happy that I have received 940 votes – the highest among independent candidates here.”

Sharing his bitter experience in politics, renowned Sindhi Singer Shaman Ali Mirali, who was contesting for a National Assembly and provincial assembly seat, said he felt out of his depth in the political arena. “I was new in this field and therefore knew nothing about the pros and cons of politics.” He added that he was totally dependent upon his friends, who encouraged him to throw his name in the hat. “Being an artist, I have been gifted with a soft heart and when I saw people leading miserable lives I decided to contest the elections. I wanted to solve their problems.”

Mirali was vying for NA-199, the seat Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stalwart Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah won by a massive margin. Mirali had also decided to go up against Shah’s son-in-law Syed Awais Qadir Shah for PS-4 in Sukkur. Here too, PPP’s candidate managed to secure  the lion’s share of votes – 54 per cent of the pie.

“At first many people came to me, offering money and the post of adviser if I withdrew. But I remained steadfast,” said Mirali. “I used to randomly visit villages without a plan and believe me, a large number of people used to gather to listen to me.”

For him, contesting for the seats has come with social costs too. “With the passage of time, my friends started distancing themselves from me and I was left with only a few. I don’t know if people were under pressure or if there were other reasons for them leaving me.”

Mirali said that he has at least walked away with a couple of lessons from the experience. “Politics is a bundle of lies. It’s a world of hypocrisy,” he said. “But I’m happy I was able to see real faces of people who claimed to love and adore me. I know people love me, but only as a singer and not politician.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2013.

Trouble first started brewing when Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and other parties in the alliance called for a strike on Monday in Jacobabad over the returning officer’s “inordinate delay” in issuing the results.

In the morning, scores of activists from different parties including PML-N, Pakistan Muslim League – Functional (PML-F), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Soomro Ittehad and Shahree Ittehad, gathered outside the press club and staged a sit-in while shouting slogans against the caretaker government and the Election Commission of Pakistan. They said both had failed to conduct free and fair elections.

In other protests in Jacobabad, party activists were shouting slogans against the district’s administration and returning officer, who they accused of siding with PPP’s candidates. When the rally reached Civil Hospital Road, armed men opened fire on the mob from the roof of the Sindh Peoples Students Federation (SPSF) office, injuring 15 people. SPSF is a wing of PPP.

In retaliation, a mob torched the SPSF office, but the culprits managed to escape. Police rushed to the scene and took the injured, including Shahid Ali, Muhammad Ameen, Farooq Ahmed, Abdul Hameed Seelro and Abdul Raheem, to Civil Hospital, Jacobabad. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the district administration called in the army and Rangers personnel to control the situation.

Over at the press club, leaders of the 10-party alliance continued to accuse PPP candidates of rigging the polls. They claimed this is why the results had not been handed over to their polling agents. People supporting the 10-party alliance also blocked the highway at Rehri. Jacobabad’s deputy commissioner met the protesters outside the press club, assuring them that a case would be registered against those who fired at the rally. The protesters dispersed after this.

More allegations fly

On Sunday night, PML-F leaders Inayatullah Buriro, Syed Zahid Hussain Shah and Syed Tahir Hussain Shah led over 2,000 activists supporting the alliance outside the district and sessions court in Sukkur as they shouted slogans against the district returning officer and election commission.

Talking to the media, Buriro, PML-F’s candidate for NA-199, accused Khursheed Shah, who was awarded PPP’s ticket for the same seat, of large scale rigging. “The officers were also siding with his nephew and son-in-law Syed Awais Qadir Shah, PPP’s candidate for PS-4 in Sukkur,” he claimed. “Many of our polling agents were kidnapped, while at many places the polling staff was stamping ballot papers in favour of PPP candidates.” He added that video clips of rigging by the PPP supporters were handed to the DRO. Three hours later, the DRO and district and sessions judge, Saleem Jan Khan, met the protesters and assured them the complaints would be passed on to the high-ups. The sit-in was called off after this assurance. Buriro has made an appeal to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of the rigging.

Agha Ayub Shah, JUI-F’s candidate for NA-198 in Sukkur, accused PPP leaders and supporters of rigging. Similarly, PML-F candidate at PS-7 in Ghotki, Mian Abdul Khaliq, accused his rival, Sardar Ahmed Ali Pitafi of PPP, of rigging the polls.

Seat results

The result of PS-14 in Jacobabad was announced 48 hours after the last vote was cast. PML-N’s Aslam Abro was declared the winner and Sardar Muqeem Khoso of PPP as the runner-up. The results of NA-208 in Jacobabad are still pending.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2013.

Though the party was able to secure most seats in the province, here too there were a handful of setbacks. According to the unofficial results, PS-1 in Sukkur – considered a PPP stronghold – went this time to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) candidate Muhammad Saleem Rajput. Transgender person Sanam Fakir, who expended a lot of energy mustering support till the last vote was cast, was also vying for this seat.

In Sukkur PPP did, however, managed to secure two National Assembly and three provincial assembly seats while in Khairpur the party won a National Assembly and three provincial assembly seats. In Shikarpur, PPP won a National Assembly and two provincial assembly seats. Even though votes were still being counted in Jacobabad and Kashmore, PPP was in a clear lead for most seats.

The counting of votes in Naushero Feroze is also underway, but here it seems as if National Peoples Party has managed to vanquish PPP. In Ghotki, the influential Mahar brothers managed to secure one national assembly and two provincial assembly seats. The result of one National Assembly seat and two provincial assembly seats have yet to be announced. The contest was particularly close in NA-200, where Sardar Ali Gohar Mahar, who had PPP’s ticket for the seat, was going up against Khalid Ahmed Lund. In Larkana, the result for NA-207 was announced, where PPP’s Faryal Talpur was facing Ghinwa Bhutto of PPP – Shaheed Bhutto.

Rigging allegations emerge

Addressing a Pakistan Muslim League – Functional (PML-F) press conference  on Sunday, Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, who was awarded the party’s ticket for NA-204, and Dr Safdar Abbasi, an independent candidate for NA-205 levelled allegations at PPP, saying the party was involved in widespread rigging. They also pointed to the “biased” attitude of the returning officer, saying that more than 22 hours had lapsed after the last vote was cast, but the results had not been handed over to their polling agents. “So far, results of only 63 polling stations out of 263 have been received, but the election commission has declared PPP’s Ayaz Soomro the winner with 27,000 votes,” said Rashdi.

Abbasi had similar grievances. “The results of other constituencies have not been announced as yet, but the result for NA-207, which is the biggest constituency of Larkana and Qamber-Shahdadkot, has been announced,” he said. “According to the result, PPP’s Faryal Talpur has received 70,000 votes Even PPP’s late chairperson Benazir Bhutto hadn’t received such a large number of votes from this constituency. Something fishy is going on.” Abbasi and Rashdi demanded the government to announce re-poll at all the constituencies falling within Larkana and Qamber-Shahdadkot.

Though incidents of violence took place at many places throughout Upper Sindh, the worst happened in Khairpur, where one person was killed and five others injured. The deceased, identified as Abdul Wahab Morejo, and injured were taken to Civil Hospital, Khairpur. No case has been registered as yet.

Other worries

Even though PPP’s electoral fortunes in Sindh remained more or less intact, difference between some of its leaders came to the fore during a press conference on Sunday evening. PPP Senator Islamuddin Shaikh levelled allegations at party stalwart Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah. “He tried his level best to cut the votes of my son Nauman Islam Shaikh, who was contesting for NA-198.” He added that Shah had sabotaged his own party’s shot at winning the seats, giving MQM the upper hand. He demanded PPP’s high command to take notice of this.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2013.

In NA-250, the Election Commission of Pakistan has said that the process will be started from scratch in those polling stations from which complaints have been received.

One polling station where rigging was blatant was Aisha Bawany Secondary School, where the presiding officer, was watching a woman place stamps on ballot papers and slipping them into the ballot box.

The constituencies falling within district West also remained turbulent throughout Saturday. What began as a smooth start to a seemingly tranquil polling day in NA-242 quickly spiraled into chaos about an hour before noon. A small bomb planted in a bus rocked the area near Shaheen school, a polling station close to Kati Pahari. Polling was immediately suspended in the surrounding polling stations.

Violence was not the only hurdle here: like other parts of the city, voters and polling staff reported blatant hijacking of the election process amid the ECP mismanagement. A group of over 50 young men stormed the Government Boys Primary School, Pirabad, and manhandled the polling staff. While talking to The Express Tribune, Farhat Ali Khan, the presiding officer, said, “They tore half the ballot papers and took away the rest of them.”

More of the same was seen at the Government Degree College in SITE. Unidentified men barged into this polling station and threatened the staff, which scurried off to a separate room some distance away from where the booths had been set up. “They said they would take me to Kati Pahari if I don’t leave the room,” said the rather frightened presiding officer. “Are we here just to count votes as these people do whatever they like?”

Meanwhile, supporters of different political parties had erected barriers along routes which connected Lyari to Kharadar. The area falls in NA-249 – the constituency where a neck-and-neck competition was expected between Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Farooq Sattar and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stalwart Abdul Aziz Memon.

The same happened in the heart of Lyari, where PPP’s Shah Jahan Baloch was vying for the same seat as MQM’s Nabeel Gabol. But here, markets were open and people, especially youngsters were dancing to the tune of Balochi and Sindhi songs, shouting support for PPP. The area might have a reputation for violence, but it remained peaceful on polling day.

At the other end of the city, near Landhi, people didn’t even have to make it all the way to the polling station to discover that their right to vote had been snatched. “You guys don’t need to go to the polling stations as your votes have already been cast,” an activist of a political party told a couple just as they were about to head out to vote.

According to Ashraf Samo, PPP candidate, the democratic process was also derailed in Malir. Reports of the hijacking of the election process also surfaced in NA-253. Umair, a 26-year-old man who did not get to cast his vote made an appeal to the authorities to declare the votes in his constituency null and void. “You can rig all you want. Karachi will not take your rubbish this time.”

Situation in the rest of Sindh 

Violence also ensued in parts of Upper Sindh, disrupting the election process here. Some party workers were bringing voters to polling stations in their vehicles. The staff complained about a lack of facilities and load-shedding during the midnight and in the early morning. In Larkana, the police arrested PPP activist Ghulam Rasool at the Baqrani tower polling station, trying to cast fake vote.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2013.

SUKKUR: Polling in different parts of Sindh gained pace as voter turnout went up from 15% in the morning to 25%. The turnout is still lower than the expected level.

Rigging incidents were reported different areas as polling continued.

A Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) activist, identified as Ghulam Rasool, was arrested in Larkana for casting a fake vote.

Three women passed out as a result of extreme weather and insufficient facilities at a polling station in Nazar Mohallah.

At the Channa Mohalla polling station in Larkana, PPP and JUI workers exchanged harsh words and resorted to aerial firing.

An independent candidate in NA-207 Larkana-Qambar Shahdadkot, Bashir Ahmad Mangenjo, alleged that Faryal Talpur’s agents were rigging elections.

Red alert was declared at Naudero Municipal Committee polling station after a clash between PPP and PML-N supporters.

Before her assassination on December 27, 2007, Benazir was running for NA-207 for the 2008 polls, a seat that Faryal Talpur then won.

But now, fortress Larkana is showing cracks. The party’s disappointing tenure has left many disillusioned, and with disgruntled leaders  – particularly those belonging to the Abbasi family – now contesting as independents, the party’s hold is threatened.

Twenty-five candidates have filed papers for NA-204 Larkana, while 19 candidates have filed papers for NA-205 Dokri, 13 for NA-206 Shahdadkot and 37 candidates have filed papers for NA-207 Larkana-Qamber.

With some of its winning candidates tainted by association with the party’s poor performance, PPP has opted for new faces.

This move has engendered strong opposition, especially from the prominent Abbasi family, members of which are contesting as independents.

This anger is evident in NA-204, where Moazam Abbasi is contesting as an independent after being denied a party ticket. The previous winner, Shahid Hussain Bhutto, was also overlooked by the party. Instead, the PPP has chosen Ayaz Soomro, a move that may significantly divide the party’s vote bank, especially since Ghinwa Bhutto of Pakistan Peoples Party-Shaheed Bhutto (PPP-SB) is also contesting the same seat.

The PML-F candidate Mehtab Akbar Rashidi also enjoys significant support, with analysts saying the real competition for this seat is between Rashidi and Abbasi.

The story is similar in NA-205. An angry Dr Safdar Abbasi is contesting independently this time, and will face the PPP’s Nazeer Bughio in what is likely to be a tough fight.

Things seem comparatively less complicated in NA-206, which hosts two strong contenders – PPP’s Nawabzada Amir Magsi, who won in 2008, and PML-F’s Asghar Shah. According to analysts, the real contest is between these two, despite the multiple hats in the ring.

NA-207 is an important seat, and will see a battle between the PPP’s Faryal Talpur and Ghinwa Bhutto. Bhutto supporters will have a tough time deciding who best carries forth the PPP spirit as embodied by ZA Bhutto and Benazir, both of whom are sorely missed in the area.

Damage control: Too little, too late?

Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has taken notice of the grievances of the Abbasis and has directed the leadership to try and convince the family to withdraw their candidatures, but thus far the Abbasis have refused to enter negotiations.

What’s possibly even more dangerous for the PPP, is that the Bhutto clan is also not satisfied with the party leadership.

Sardar Aamir Bhutto, while addressing a press conference, said that he and his clan will now support Ghinwa, who is contesting against Faryal.

The people of Larkana are hurt and disappointed with the PPPP candidates. They are now seemingly in line with the Abbasis, who they believe are the true jiyalas adhering to the vision of the PPP. Whether this sentiment will prevail or the aura of the PPP will draw them back into the fold, is another matter entirely.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2013.

SUKKUR: The grandson of Nawab Mohammad Akbar Khan Bugti, Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti was denied access on Saturday evening to Dera Bugti by the Frontier Constabulary at the Doli check post.

According to reports, the President of Jamhoori Watan Party Balochistan chapter Shahzain Bugti along with his family members and other clansmen was on his way to his native town Dera Bugti from Jaferabad when his convoy was stopped by FC at Sindh-Balochistan border check post.

Shahzain was asked to register the names of all those accompanying him and on his refusal, he was forced to return back, the reports said, adding that he then had an overnight stay at the residence of PPPP leader Abdul Rauf Khoso, leaving for Jaferabad Sunday afternoon.

Talking to The Express Tribune Shahzain condemned what he termed the negative attitude of the FC.

“Thousands of people came to receive us at the check post and dozens were taken into custody by the Frontier Constabulary.”

The Balochistan government has literally ceased to exist, he said. “Being a Pakistani I can go anywhere in the country, but going to Dera Bugti seems like crossing the border of India or Israel.”

He said that besides his mother and family members, Bugti clansmen and persons belonging to the Hindu community, were accompanying him on his way to his native land.

Shahzain alleged that the district coordination officers, deputy commissioners, police and levy personnel act like puppets in the hands of FC.

“When security personnel start challenging the writ of the government, then what good can you expect? I did not registering their names because I know that tomorrow these people will be picked up by the FC and then their bullet riddled bodies will be found.”

Referring to the SC hearing at Quetta registry, Shahzain quoted the Chief Justice as questioning FC about why Bugtis were not allowed to enter Dera Bugti to which FC had replied that it was due to the law and order situation.

Discussing the elections, he expressed fears that without allowing the native people to enter Dera Bugti it was almost impossible to hold transparent polls. He demanded the Chief Election Commissioner to postpone the elections for NA-265 and PB-24 Dera Bugti.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2013.

Once you have sensed the demand as well as sentiments of consumers and provide them with what they’re after, there’s no stopping you, say both the young entrepreneurs.

Whether or not Mehsahs Collection will enjoy the kind of success Mehwish and Sahar have hoped for, the infectious belief they have in their venture makes you wish it does. Both young women are enrolled in the MBA in human resources programme at the Institute of Business and Administration (IBA), Sukkur. While studying entrepreneurship and e-business, Mehwish and Sahar decided to try out what they had learned and took a chance with Mehsahs Collection.

It all started when Mehwish grew tired of donning the same black gown each day and decided to be a little adventurous. She decided to design a few colourful gowns for herself. “Besides feeling a positive change in myself, my dresses were appreciated by my fellow students,” she said. “I sat down with Sahar and discussed the feasibility of the project and this is how Mehsahs Collection – ‘Meh’ from Mehwish and ‘Sah’ from Sahar – was born.”

A market was available for them to exploit as the campus had witnessed a growing trend of pardah and Eastern clothing. “Both of us started designing hijabs, scarfs, pouches and handmade shoes and slippers,” Mehwish told The Express Tribune.

But it was not easy as it sounds. Both Sahar and Mehwish struggled to find the right balance between their coursework and business. “But as the saying goes, when there is a will there’s a way,” said Mehwish. “We put in a lot of effort and with the encouraging and supporting attitude of our teachers and the administration, we have managed to come this far and display our work,” added Sahar. The second obstacle they faced was finances – their family provided them with some money and they also took interest-free loans from IBA.

The girls won’t rest on their laurels and are quite willing to go the extra mile to ensure their products don’t lose their appeal. “The selection of materials to make cultural wear is very difficult because we have to make something different from traditional fabrics,” Mehwish said. “We buy the fabric for our shirts and frocks from Hala while shoes and slippers are prepared in Lahore.”

Sahar said that the fact that they are both from Sukkur allows them to sit and discuss ideas and designs, which are then executed by a girl who does not wish to be named. “The current crop of university students considers traditional dresses from the rural areas old-fashioned. We have tried to give a modern touch to them and it seemed to have worked.” The girls hoped that e-business will help their venture flourish and pave the way for others to follow them. “We have tried to keep our tradition and culture alive by lending it a modern touch.

Our unique ideas will spark freshness in the otherwise plain hijabs and scarves. Besides, our products are very affordable, ranging from Rs200 to Rs3,000.”

Mehwish and Sahar expressed their gratitude to IBA officials, particularly Kamran Shaikh and Farrukh, who helped them with graphic designing and came up with the logo for Mehsahs Collection.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2013.

The Pakistan Peoples Party began sensing a growing rift among its supporters in Ghotki when the party’s Ghotki chapter president, Sardar Ahmed Ali Pitafi, joined hands with Khalid Ahmed Lund – who is contesting in NA-200 as an independent candidate against Sardar Ali Gohar Mahar and Pir of Bharchoondi Sharif Abdul Haq alias Mian Mitho.

Before the rifts widened the divide, Talpur paid a visit to Jam House in Ghotki along with former Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah and former federal minister Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah. There they met the Dharejo brothers – Jam Saifullah, Jam Ikramullah, Jam Asadullah and Jam Ghulam Qadir – and reportedly asked them to forget their differences with the Mahars since they are also part of the party now.

Later, a party meeting was held at the residence of Jam Mehtab Dahar but Pitafi failed to attend, after which it was reported that the party decided to remove his from the post.

Meanwhile, Jam Saifullah Dharejo told the media that their family has always remained loyal to the PPP, even when the Mahars, Lunds, Shars and Bozdars switched allegiances. According to an official, Ali Nawaz alias Raja Mahar paid a visit to Jam House on Thursday and had breakfast with the Dharejo brothers. The two families resolved to support each other and all those candidates who are contesting the elections under the ‘arrow’ symbol.

On Thursday, the district returning officer in Ghotki called all the candidates for NA-200, PS-7 and PS-5 to discuss the election code of conduct. Lund talked to the media after the meeting and accused his rival Mahar candidate of using official machinery for his election campaign. Sardar Khan Ghoto, who is the minister of labour and transport in Sindh’s caretaker government, is very close to Sardar Ali Gohar Mahar and is supporting him, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2013.