Conspiracy afoot: MQM warns of rigging plans ahead of by-polls

Farooq Sattar asks relevant authorities to take notice

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has demanded that the Election Commission of Pakistan, the Sindh government and law enforcement agencies ensure peaceful and transparent by-elections on Thursday.

The MQM also demanded the relevant authorities to take notice and carry out an unbiased inquiry into recent attacks on the party.

Addressing a press conference, the party's parliamentarian and senior deputy convener, Dr Farooq Sattar, said "Since April 2, a conspiracy against MQM is ongoing where the party is being blamed for various incidents."

The MNA said the MQM was set to win the by-elections on both [NA-245 and PS-115] constituencies with a big margin so what could be the need to spread violence and fear in the city.

Sattar pointed out that on April 2, the 'goons' of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf attacked a rally of the MQM in North Nazimabad while, in PS-115, Haqiqi 'terrorists' attacked the election office in UC-9, resorted to firing, harassed women, elders and children. "Instead of taking notice, the MQM itself is being blamed for the incidents."

At the party's Khursheed Begum Secretariat, Sattar, flanked by its candidates of the by-elections, called the recent incidents a means to derail the peaceful electoral process.

The party leader said elements were intimidating people of not coming to vote on Thursday's by-elections and that a plan was being hatched to carry out rigging.

"In every area, hundreds of female and male workers are running the campaign door-to-door while there is no sight of other parties. They are neither taking out rallies nor organising corner meetings," he said, terming it proof that the constituencies belong to the MQM.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6^th, 2016.