PTI UC chairmen say will not vote for JI

The Union Council chairmen and vice-chairmen of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have announced that they will boycott the polling process and remain neutral in the mayoral election, refusing to vote for any candidate.

The development comes a day after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders claimed that some elected local government representatives from PTI had contacted them. The defection comes days before the mayoral election in Karachi turning the tables on Jamaat-e-Islami which was banking on winning the mayor's seat with PTI's support.

While PTI official spokesperson denies the existence of any faction, sources within the party said it stood divided following the May 9 riots. To secure the mayoral position, a total of 184 votes are required. Currently, the PPP holds 155 votes, JI 130 votes, PTI 62 votes, and PML-N and other parties hold 18 votes combined.

The Express Tribune had published news on June 8 that PTI members were unlikely to vote for Jamaat. PTI UC Chairman Asad Aman and other elected UC chairmen have claimed that around 40 PTI UC chairmen will not go to the House on the day of mayoral election. Aman said JI always strongly opposed PTI and elected members of PTI will not vote for Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. Aman said that they were and will remain with PTI chairman and they were against Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) but will not vote for JI. He said that the elected members are independent in their decision.Members do not have any pressure.

Around 40 PTI UC chairmen will not go to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Council Hall on the day of election of mayor. Aman said that PTI Karachi leadership have not contacted them since they were elected to the local bodies. He said they cannot vote for Naeem "an outsider." Disgruntled PTI UC chairman refused to accept the decision of the party leadership to vote for Naeem in mayoral poll.

Meanwhile, sources hinted at possibility of some UC chairmen willing to fall for the ages-old Pakistani political strategy of 'buy out'. These party officials further said that the elected LG representatives of PTI were not in close contact with the current party setup.

Notable figures among the elected local government representatives include Wasim Abdul Waheed, chairman of UC 6 Saddar Town; Tahir Parvez of UC 4; Imran Parwani of UC 1; Gulfam Haider of UC 3; Aslam Niazi of UC 2; Salman Khan of UC 8; Ali Riaz of UC 9; and Muhammad Idris of Mominabad Town UC 7. Other notable members distancing themselves from the party are Amjad Ali from UC 5; Muhammad Mustafa from UC 1; Asadullah Aman from UC 4; Azizullah from UC 6 Salahuddin; Azizullah from UC 15 Manghopir; Atif Hayat from UC 4; Muneebur Rahman from UC 14; Abdul Rehman Khan from Shah Faisal Town UC 7; Sulaiman Khan from Shah Faisal Town UC 5; Hayatullah Khan from Sohrab Goth UC 2; Daulat Khan from UC 1; Abdul Moeed from UC Mir Bahrun; Zubair from UC Mir Bahr 2; Abdul Ghani from Lyari Town UC 1; Akhtar from Orangi Town UC 5; Asim Haider from UC 3; and Malir Town's representatives.