The meeting will be held at 4pm local time. PHOTO: MQM/FILE
MQM is under wide criticism after leader Altaf Hussain’s public address last night threatened peaceful protestors against anti-rigging in Karachi.
Other than the fiery address, MQM leader Nabeel Gabol had earlier announced election boycott from NA-248 Lyari and alleged PPP candidates for hijacking polling stations, throwing out the polling staff and stamping the ballot papers on May 11.
“Me and two other candidates contesting from constituency of PS-108 and 109 announce election boycott from Lyari,” said Gabol.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned an emergency meeting in Islamabad on Monday in connection to complaints of rigging received from across the country.
COMMENTS (18)
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The MQM sincerely needs to change its strategy. Some of what they say does happen to be correct (ie references to tsunami or the lack of thereof in Punjab, reelection should be held everywhere not just Karachi) Truth is with the videos on social media it is clear beyond a shadow of doubt that there has been rigging by more than one party in more than one province. Unfortunately for the MQM their leader is utterly lacking in any real leadership qualities. Instead of inspiring patriotism and unity, he instills fear in his people. The MQM is in desperate need for a real PR revamp. If they don't change their tactics and try and win back their people via doing good for "their city" they might not have much of a city left.
@a: The other constituency was NA-248 from where Nabeel Gabol was contesting and this is the one which MQM boycotted. PPPP won this seat. Check this http://ecp.gov.pk/electionresult/Search.aspx?constituency=NA&constituencyid=NA-248
@Baffled: I also belong to NA-246 and being from that area I totally understand the attachment and affiliation of ppl with MQM there. Anyone from MQM would win there. Last time the MQM candidate Sufyan Yousuf got 187K votes in that constituency, I dont get why so much hue and cry over Nabell Gabol's 139k votes.
I gave my vote to MQM, but I feet it that was my big mistake.
I think hard speeches and shameful violence will not earn MQM or us Muhajirs anything. Its high time that MQM should disassociate itself with this so called democratic struggle (where two third majority of PML is revolution and 16-17 seats in Karachi is biggest mass. We must not worry, our grand parents made Pakistan and with unity and determination we can explore many other piece full options to save their dream and future of Muhajirs.
@ Baffled:
After yesterday's comments of Altaf bhai, I wonder how you can ever justify MQM.
Let us see how does the Supreme Court of Pakistan under supervision of Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry deal with some one who is openly threatening citizens of another country.
@Zeenia NA246 had a total vote count of 184k, which is quite difficult to execute given only 769 polling booths (source: http://www.ecp.gov.pk) in this constituency.
So it begins, the march towards the right to self determination. Pakistan will be disintegrated by 2014.
@Zeenia: and in other constituencies?
@Zeenia bibi
Nabeel Gabol is from my constituency .I have voted him alongwith my 71 yrs old mother . You should have seen the masses thronging over the MQM camps .
The PTI netwarriors will never understand the attachment of people with MQM as they have never bothered to venture out of their comfort zones .
Dear Altaf Bhai Please let us live in peace and if u truly love us then come here and lead us
The post by Namaloom Afrad is misleading. Whatever criticism, however objective should not stray from the facts. There was no constituency in which Nabeel Gabol's votes exceeded registered votes. Infact the turnout was 52%. Moreoevr, contrary to viral statistics, Nabeel Gabol got 139K votes, not 170 votes in NA-146 and the PTI candidate got around 32K votes.
Source: http://www.ecp.gov.pk/electionresult/Search.aspx?constituency=NA&constituencyid=NA-246 P.S. I am not an MQM supporter but I would like to speak rationally based on facts.
Let us see how do the British authorities deal with some one who is openly threatening citizens of another country.
Today, I am really sad after the allegations/videos of rigging and the speech last nite. For me, a native of Karachi, MQM has always been the party with the most attractive messages of merit, gender equality and ubranization and opposition to jagir/feudal mindset. At the same time, I have alwasy been worried about the 'zorr' aspect of the party. I am worried that certain members of the party may have started treating Karachi like their urban jagir; where might is the only thing that is right and it is mqms way of the highway. I appeal to the leadership of the party to not lose sight of the messages written above, which is what has held Mqm as the dominant party thusfar in Karachi. It is okay to lose a few seats in Karachi without resorting to tactics, rather than going to war over them. If we are still strong in Karachi, the awam will support us, if not, we need to examine our policies and change as required. Good luck to all and let sanity prevail.
Let us the see the new Constitution of Karachi and Declaration of Independence live from London.