Sequence of Karachi’s constituencies changed after fresh ECP delimitation
The latest delimitation by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has added one National Assembly and three Sindh Assembly seats in the greater Karachi metropolitan area.
The sequence of constituencies has also changed after the addition of more constituencies.
In the 2018 general elections, the first National Assembly constituency in Karachi was NA-239 (Malir), which has now become NA-229. Similarly, NA-256 (District Central) is now NA-250, as per the new sequence of constituencies based on the fresh delimitation.
According to the new breakdown, Malir District comprises NA-229, NA-230, and NA-231. Korangi District also has three National Assembly seats, namely NA-232, NA-233, and NA-234. District East consists of NA-235, NA-236, NA-237, and NA-238. With the addition of one National Assembly seat, District South now comprises NA-239, NA-240, and NA-241.
The next two constituencies, NA-242 and NA-243 are included in Keamari District. District West consists of NA-244, NA-245, and NA-246, while District Central has four NA seats namely NA-247, NA-248, NA-249, and NA-250.
As regard the Sindh Assembly seats, the first constituency in Karachi was PS-87, which has now changed to PS-84. However, the number of the last seat of the provincial assembly is still PS-130 due to the addition of three seats in Karachi.
Constituencies of prominent politicians
The numbers of prominent political leaders have also changed after the fresh delimitation. Bilawal Bhutto’s constituency number has moved from Liyari to Mominabad. ANP Sindh President Shahi Syed used to contest the elections from NA-238 (Malir), but now Malir District comprises NA-230 and NA-231.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan contested the election from NA-243, but now this number is assigned to District Keamari. Dr Farooq Sattar of MQM-Pakistan used to run from NA-245, but now this number belongs to District West. NA-247, which comprises Karachi’s affluent areas, including Clifton, DHA, Garden, Hijrat Colony, Burns Road, and other middle-class areas, has now become NA-241. President Dr Arif Alvi has also contested the election from this constituency.
Smallest constituency
As per the new demarcation of constituencies, NA-241 is the smallest in terms of population in District South, while NA-232 in Korangi District is the largest constituency. In terms of population, there is a difference of 3,31,803 people between the two constituencies.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2023.