NA-240 by-poll: PSP, TLP chiefs booked for violence

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI:

Police on Friday nominated Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) Chairman Mustafa Kamal and head of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Saad Hussain Rizvi in the FIRs for causing violence during Karachi’s NA-240 (Korangi Karachi II) by-election held on Thursday.

Moreover, in Islamabad, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued notice to PSP Chairman Mustafa Kamal over polling station violence.

The by-election was marred by violence as one person was killed and several others were injured in a firing incident. Among the injured were PSP Chairperson Mustafa Kamal and leader Iftikhar Alam.

The area became a battlefield during the riots while the Rangers were nowhere to be seen. The situation in the area remained extremely tense till late at night.

The PSP had accused TLP workers of firing at its party chairman during a media talk, adding that the party's central leaders were also injured.

According to police, the party heads had been nominated in the FIRs for causing violence during the by-poll on Thursday. They said two of the cases were registered on complaints of presiding officers of the Election Commission of Pakistan while the remaining were filed on behalf of the state at Landhi and Korangi police stations.

“Police have detained 258 suspects including some security guards present during the violence,” a spokesperson of the Karachi police said.

Landhi police have registered a case on terror charges against the PSP and TLP chiefs and others over the killing of a 65-year-old man identified as Saifuddin.

Meanwhile, an ECP meeting headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja was briefed on the violence that marred the by-poll on Thursday, resulting in one death and injuries to over 10 people.

Besides other members of the ECP, Secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan Umar Hameed and other officials were also in attendance.

The meeting also reviewed the report furnished by the provincial election commissioner detailing how the incident unfolded.

The ECP secretary gave a detailed briefing on the violence-marred by-polls in the constituency.

Later, CEC Sikandar Raja also telephoned Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and IG Sindh, seeking details of the incident and urging the provincial government to take necessary action.

During the interaction, the CEC said maintaining law and order during the local bodies’ elections in Sindh was the sole responsibility of the provincial government.

The chief minister assured the CEC of all possible assistance and action against those responsible, while the IG Sindh informed the CEC that action was being taken against about 250 people who have been already arrested.

The CEC also asked the chief minister to convene a special meeting over the matter in order to ensure that such incidents do not mar the polls in the future.

He asked the provincial government to ensure foolproof security arrangements in the upcoming NA-245 and local government elections.

With additional input from News Desk