New players in NA-244: Sectarian parties may give past winners a run for their money

Lanes inside Godhra are divided among sectarian groups, while party activists man the entrances.


MQM banners have been put up at Mukka Chowk in FB Area. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS

KARACHI: The areas within NA-244 may have become divided along predominantly sectarian lines now but its residents remember a time when it was just another neighbourhood where people lived in peaceful coexistence.

With a week until the elections, the campaigns have gained momentum. A number of flags, banners and hoardings are dotting the main roundabouts and intersections. Despite the overwhelming majority of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) supporters in NA-244, several political analysts believe that the party will not have such a clean victory this time.



The constituency falls within district Central and has been a traditional stronghold of the MQM since the first time it contested the local council elections in 1988. The only time MQM lost this seat was in 1993 when it boycotted the elections. MQM’s headquarters, Nine Zero, is just a few-minutes drive away.

Most of the residents are literate and fall into the middle-income group. An overwhelming majority of them speak Urdu, while there are pockets of Punjabi, Pashtun, Memon, Godhra, Kutchi, Sindhi and Bengali communities as well.

Nestled within the narrow lanes off Sharae Pakistan is Godhra locality - home to Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, formerly known as Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, and the Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST), whose founder, Saleem Qadri, also lived here until 2001 when he was assassinated. Since these organisations are stepping into the political arena for the first time in the country’s history, they are likely to put a dent in the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) vote bank.

The lanes inside Godhra are also divided among these sectarian groups. Party activists man the entrances, and residents are careful not to step into the ‘wrong’ streets. “The area belongs to low- to middle-class people and the growing intolerance and religious hatred has led to a growth in such organisations,” said a resident of Godhra.



Facing this area is Ancholi - Federal B Area block 20 - which is a Shia-dominated neighbourhood. The Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) has recently gained significant foothold in this part of the constituency.

The residents have yet to feel excited about the upcoming elections and feel that they have little role to play in the outcome.

“Do you see any sentiments here?” remarked a shopkeeper in New Karachi. “Jubilation and enthusiasm are not generated on empty stomachs.”

Meanwhile, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) is also eyeing this seat. A JI worker said that his party has proven that it serves people judiciously right at the grassroots level.

He was sure the JI would sweep the elections from NA-244 this time - based on their support from the labour colonies, katchi abadis and other pockets of ethnic minorities.

Despite fears of losing its traditional Shia vote bank to the MWM, the MQM is confident of its victory. “Mohajirs are living here and a majority of them support MQM,” said a party activist. “Mohajirs don’t have any other option if they want to protect themselves from sectarianism, ethnic discrimination and especially Talibanisation. MQM always raises its voice against terrorism.” Ahead of the 2013 elections, this constituency has also seen its share of poll violence. A planted device exploded near an MQM election cell on Peoples Chowrangi on April 23, killing at least four men and wounding around 30 others.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6th, 2013.

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