Impressive voter turnout witnessed in North Nazimabad, Karachi

People set aside security concerns to ensure a better future.

KARACHI: Serious security threats failed to deter the public of North Nazimabad, an area which was severely disturbed due to bomb blasts recently, as masses hit the roads to cast their votes along with families on Saturday.

There were serious concerns among the public after a series of blast hit North Nazimabad which left more than a dozen people dead while scores of them were left either fatally injured or received minor injuries.

On April 23, Mutahidda Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) camp set at the People’s Chowrangi was targeted with a crude bomb while a day later another blast in Nusrat Bhutto Colony targeting an election campaign left the people of the area in shock as they were left at the mercy of terrorists.

The blasts continued for the next several days in Karachi but yet people brushed aside all concerns to make sure that they play an important part to improve their next five years.

The 78-year-old Abdus Samad – former economic advisor International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Director Economic and Research Department of State Bank of Pakistan – came to NA-244 polling station to cast his vote and said it is a “make-or-break” election for the nation.

“Despite all the security concerns, I’ve come with my family because it is a make or break election for Pakistan,” Samad told The Express Tribune.

“It’s not only about the government this time. It’s about the state as well which is on brink of being divided and at stake financially and economically. I urged my family members to put aside their safety concerns for a day in order to lay foundation for prosperous next five years.”

Samad, who has also been a visiting professor throughout the world and leading universities of Pakistan, stated that media has played a very important role in mobilising the masses and helping them understand the importance of their votes.

“Today media has helped even the uneducated people to know the importance and power of their vote. I’ve seen several elections in my life but the turnout which is I’m witnessing today is amazing and impressive,” he added.

Several elderly people were seen suffering from pain because of standing in long queues but yet they waited for their turns stressing that they have to come for the sake of a better future of their children and coming generations.

Meanwhile, a youngster Ahsan Ahmed – final year student of Department of Public Administration (DPA) of Karachi University – stated that he woke up early to make sure that he performs his national duty.

“We all need a change because last five years has been traumatic for us. This time youth will play an important role in elections and that is why we’ve come in groups to vote for a change,” Ahsan said.

“I hope that Imran Khan wins because all other parties have enjoyed power but have failed to deliver. It’s better to vote for someone new instead of wasting the vote on tried and tested leaders.”

Another impressive fact was the presence of ladies who were matching in numbers to their male counterparts and felt enough was enough as they wanted to have secure future for their children.

“We’ve come out with an aspiration to make sure that our children and family can breathe in a terror-free environment for next five years,” Mehnaz Raheel, a beautician by profession said.

“Females especially mothers have become mental and sugar patients because of target killing and blasts in Karachi. Enough is enough and we want peace now.”