Keep it down-low or go all the way?: TTP dictates the terms for election campaigns

ANP and PPP choose not to hold large gatherings.

KARACHI:

Threats from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and rules by the Election Commission of Pakistan against wall-chalking and party posters and flags have left little options for the political parties in Karachi to campaign with, The Express Tribune learnt on Tuesday. Rallies and public speeches by party leaders vying for peoples’ votes - which are usually the most prominent indicators that the election season is approaching - have not taken place at the same pace as previous elections and there don’t seem to be any on the schedule in the near future as well.

Leaders of the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Peoples party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), agreed that the potential threats will automatically affect the outcome of the elections.

In order to avert the militant threats, the ANP announced that the party will avoid huge gatherings and instead carry out a door-to-door campaign while the PPP has launched a constituency-based campaign. MQM has, however, decided to continue its public meetings but have demanded foolproof security to avert any potential threats from the TTP, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and other extremist groups.

Those parties, which do not face a direct threat from the militants, including the Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, are also being cautious and have expressed concern over the security provided for public gatherings.

PPP - treading cautiously

PPP leader, Saeed Ghani, admitted that his party was among the three main political groups being targeted by the terrorists. Referring to the late Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, he said that this was not the first time that the party was on the militants hit-list.



As for the elections scheduled for May 11, 2013, he said that the Pakistan Peoples Party will avoid large-scale rallies. “Although this will affect the votes, I think people have a clear idea of which political parties are with the terrorists and which ones are against them,” he said.

PPP will continue with their constituency-based campaign, where small gatherings will be organised.

ANP - on top of the hit-list

According to the Awami National Party Sindh president Shahi Syed, at least 35 offices of the party at Sohrab Goth, Ittehad Town, Manghopir, Sultanabad, Kunwari Colony, Pashtunabad and Landhi have been closed by militants. He said that party flags were removed from these areas while some of the offices were also attacked. He was, however, confident that despite all the threats and difficulties, ANP will be successful in the elections.



“The government has collected all our weapons in the name of verification but it seems that they have raised their hands in defeat and have thrown us in front of the terrorists,” accused ANP’s Bashir Bilour. “We are, without a doubt, the most affected party when it comes to the threats by the militants.”

He told The Express Tribune that the party had forwarded an application to the DIG for foolproof security and also for the return of the seized weapons. “It is not possible for us to hold big rallies but we will continue our door-to-door campaign. Even if it affects the outcome of the elections, ANP will continue its fight against terrorism.”

MQM - willing to take
the risk

MQM leader Wasay Jalil confirmed that they were also in the line of fire. “But we must organise public gatherings and rallies in order to counter threats from militants.”

He added that the party’s voters were committed to the party since 1988.

“Karachi is the city of educated people and despite the threats, people will come out to lend their support to MQM rallies and also cast their vote to elect party members.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2013.