Bilawal urges MQM-P to fully participate in Sunday’s LG polls

Sources say MQM-P has decided to contest local body elections in Karachi and Hyderabad tomorrow

PPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday urged MQM-Pakistan to fully participate in the second phase of Sindh local body elections scheduled to be held tomorrow (Sunday).

His statement comes as MQM-P is mulling to boycott the polls or quit the coalition government at Centre in protest over “biased delimitations” of the local government constituencies in Karachi and Hyderabad.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) earlier today once again rejected the Sindh government's request to postpone the LB polls in Karachi and Hyderabad.

Also read: ECP stands firm, says Sindh LG polls as per schedule on 15th

In today’s statement, Bilawal said it is hoped that its coalition partner will contest the polls, saying that they are trying to hold local body elections so that development work can be carried out in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions.

“MQM-P should take part in the polls. Our focus at the moment is the elections,” he added.

The PPP chief urged the people to come out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote and elect local government representatives.

Bilawal said that PTI chief Imran Khan is only thinking about his vested interests instead of serving the masses. He said his party will work with whichever party won tomorrow’s LB polls.

Separately, PPP leader Asifa Bhutto Zardari, in a message to the workers and the supporters, urged the people to fulfil their responsibility by casting ballot in the local body elections.

“PPP is the only party that believes in human rights and equality. Karachi is the city of all of us. Vote for arrow for the development and prosperity of Karachi city on January 15,” she added.

‘MQM-P decides to contest LB polls’

MQM-Pakistan Rabita Committee has decided to contest local body elections despite its reservations over delimitations of the constituencies in Karachi and Hyderabad, according to sources.

Also read: PDM leaders move to placate MQM-P after divorce threat

The insiders said the decision was taken following MQM-P’s important huddle chaired by its convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui at party’s Bahadurabad headquarters in Karachi.

Sources added that MQM-Pakistan federal ministers Aminul Haq, Faisal Sabzwari and special assistant Sadiq Iftikhar have been stopped from performing their official duties until the party takes a decision in this ragard.

The insiders said despite displeasure with federal and Sindh governments over non-fulfilment of promises, MQM-P decided to take part in the polls and the party’s Rabita Committee will also hold a press conference later today to inform the media about its decisions.