Sattar accuses PPP of using govt machinery

MQM-Pakistan head says ruling party using unfair means of campaigning

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - Pakistan head Farooq Sattar accused on Wednesday the province-ruling Pakistan Peoples Party of using government machinery during the campaigning of its candidate for the PS-114 by-election.

The provincial assembly seat fell vacant after the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) candidate, Irfanullah Khan Marwat, was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). He challenged the decision in the Supreme Court but the apex court maintained the ECP order.

In the re-election in the constituency, MQM-Pakistan has fielded Kamran Tessori, a businessman who recently joined the party, switching from the Pakistan Muslim League – Functional. The PPP is putting forward one of its front-liners Saeed Ghani, PML-N fielded Ali Akbar Gujjar, one of the party's prominent figures in Karachi, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has nominated Najeeb Haroon, one of its old-time leaders and a prominent builder.



Polling is due to be held on July 9.

Addressing the press conference in Mehmoodabad, one of the areas falling within the constituency, Sattar said that the PPP was using government machinery to campaign for its candidate. He said that the PPP, using its influence, had created problems in the polling stations falling within the area where MQM was strong.

He also criticised the ECP for rejecting the MQM’s plea against the PPP over alleged pre-poll rigging.