MQM’s imprisoned Waseem Akhtar wins Karachi's mayoral election

I congratulate the people of Karachi for the victory today, says the mayor-elect


Reuters/news Desk August 24, 2016
Waseem Akhtar speaks to the media in Karachi on Wednesday.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) imprisoned leader Waseem Akhtar won the Karachi’s mayoral election on Wednesday while Arshad Vohra has been elected as Deputy Mayor Karachi, according to unofficial results.

“I congratulate the people of Karachi for the victory today. This is Karachi’s victory given the tough times we have been facing,” the mayor-elect said while speaking to the media soon after he won the mayoral election.

“It will be written in the history because elections have never happened like this ever before,” he added.

On how he will run the mayor’s affairs while being imprisoned, he said: “I will request the chief minister Sindh to either give me an office at the Central Jail or pass a law so that I can solve people’s issues.”

May 12 carnage: MQM asks why Wasim Akhtar the only one being questioned

Waseem went on to say that he alone will not be running the city affairs but will take onboard other parties and law enforcers as well. “We are not alone. We are with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami National Party, Jamat-e-Islami and together we will serve this city.”

He also said that he will need the guidance of IGP Sindh AD Khuwaja and DG Rangers Major-General Bilal Akbar to resolve the long-standing issues of the country’s economic hub. “I request DG Rangers to work together for this country.”

Waseem will run the teeming metropolis via "video link" from his prison cell, his lawyer has said.

"He will open an office in jail and via video link he will conduct council sessions," Mahfooz Yar Khan, Waseem's lawyer, told reporters outside the council building as his client voted inside. "He can run Karachi via video link for five years."

Karachi set to be run by imprisoned mayor

The elected mayor of Karachi who was arrested last month on suspicion of aiding alleged militants, arrived in an armoured police vehicle at the British-era Karachi Metropolitan Corporation building to cast his vote in the final round of elections that has his party in an unassailable lead.

Waseem and Arshad had a strong position in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) council, that comprises 320 seats. The joint opposition fielded Pakistan Peoples Party’s Karmullah Waqasi for the mayor’s slot and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Amanullah Afridi as deputy mayor. The city picked its mayor almost eight months after the much anticipated local government elections, that took place on 5 December 2015.

Waseem gets ‘directives’ during victory speech

As Waseem was busy in delivering speech after his victory, his deputy Vohra was clearly seen whispering in his ears ‘directives’ apparently coming from the MQM authorities.

Arshad was on call and could be heard saying: “I am stopping him [Waseem].”

As soon as he ended the call, Arshad gave clear directions to Waseem.

“Waseem, please be very careful. Just talk about Karachi’s progress and nothing else,” Vohra whispered.

At one point it could also be heard that the deputy mayor asked his chief not to mention Altaf’s name.

COMMENTS (20)

Brekhna | 7 years ago | Reply O people of Karachi !! Even the best rangers or police force of the world cannot save you if you continue to choose people like these as your representatives.
Karachi | 7 years ago | Reply A simple solution to Karachi problem. Abolish quota system.
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