Scuffles mar Malir’s PS-88 by-poll in Karachi

PTI’s Haleem Adil Sheikh detained after ECP expels him from constituency


Hafeez Tunio February 17, 2021
An AFP file image

KARACHI:

Chaos ensued at the Ghulam Hussain Jhokio polling station in Malir’s PS-88 constituency on Tuesday as a scuffle broke out between the workers of Pakistan Peoples Party, which leads the government in Sindh, and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during the by-polls.

In a flagrant violation of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s code of conduct armed guards of both parties fired shots in the air undeterred by the presence of police and Sindh Rangers personnel. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker Haleem Adil Shaikh was subsequently expelled by the ECP from the PS-88 constituency and detained by the police

Shaikh, who is the opposition leader in Sindh Assembly, was later arrested on the basis of FIRs lodged against him at Malir and Gadap Town police stations on February 6, pertaining to land grabbing.

The situation on the by-election day reportedly became tense when a caravan of PTI workers, led by Shaikh reached the polling station and had an altercation with the PPP workers present. Members of both groups resorted to kicks and punches after which both sides used firearms. A video that went viral on social media showed Shaikh roaming about in the constituency.

Following the incident, a complaint was lodged with the ECP by the in-charge of the PPP’s Central Election Cell, Taj Haider. “Shaikh being a member of Sindh Assembly is not permitted under the law to enter the constituency and polling stations and that too with armed persons,” wrote Haider in his letter to ECP calling for action against Shaikh over the alleged violation of rules.

Read More: By-polls for three seats of Sindh, Balochistan assemblies underway

Haider alleged that voters were being taken to the PTI office situated in the area and were being given “parchis” [slips] promising that they would be paid Rs12,000 under the Ehsaas programme if they voted for the PTI.

Shortly after receiving the complaint, the ECP wrote to the Malir SSP directing him to expel Shaikh from the constituency.

“In pursuance of the power under Article 220 of the Constitution of Pakistan and Section 193 of the Election Act 2017, I do hereby order the law enforcement agencies to expel Haleem Adil Shaikh from the constituency till the culmination of poll process,” said Syed Nadeem Haider, the Regional Election Commissioner Karachi, who happens to be a returning officer for the by-poll. He added that any sitting MPA, MNA, senator, minister or any other public officer bearer of any party may not be allowed to visit the constituency.

‘They started it’

On the other hand, MPA Haleem Adil Shaikh alleged that it was the PPP workers who started the attack and threatened his life.

“They [the PPP] attacked a female MPA of ours first, then they attacked our district manager Dr Masroor, all in the presence of police, and then when I went there shots were fired,” said Shaikh in a statement after his detention.

Shaikh claimed that police security, assigned to him as leader of the opposition in the provincial assembly, was withdrawn a week earlier and he was accompanied by his private guards during his visit to the polling stations. “If my guards had not retaliated by firing in the air, they [the PPP] would have murdered me just like Murtaza Bhutto.”

The PTI lawmaker alleged that shots were fired on his bullet proof vehicle when he visited the constituency.

“I told you before that PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah would orchestrate an attack today,” said Shaikh. “No lives were lost as the car was bulletproof. The attack occurred in the presence of the police,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, in statements issued by the PPP leaders, they claimed that once the PTI realised that its defeat in the by-polls was imminent, the party’s workers started harassing the ECP staff in a bid to create a law and order situation to halt the election process. In a video message, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab urged the ECP to investigate the matter further as “the onus to conduct free and fair elections lay with them.”

Shaikh’s arrest

While no FIR was lodged against Haleem Shaikh for the events on polling day till the filing of this report Shaikh was arrested on the basis of FIRs lodged against him earlier on February 6.

PTI leaders protested in reaction to the arrest and declared the act tantamount to political victimisation.

“The action was taken because Shaikh has exposed PPP’s corruption and bad governance. This all is being done by the CM himself, he dictated the police to take such action,” alleged PTI’s Khurrum Sher Zaman while addressing a joint press conference flanked by other leaders. The PTI leaders said they would approach the court for Shaikh’s bail.

Reports circulated that two FIRs may be lodged against Shaikh - one pertaining to interfering with the polling process and another on the complaint of PPP leaders, who alleged that their party workers were shot and injured.

According to police, Shaikh will be produced before the court for remand on Wednesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17th, 2021.

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