PHOTO: FILE
According to the recent election results, PTI candidates have given a tough time to their opponents in a majority of provincial and National Assembly seats. Even though, not a single PTI candidate has won so far from the city, officials of the election commission admitted that they have clinched the second number in terms of votes cast.
This, in itself, is a significant change from previous elections as the PTI managed to get up to 30,000 votes in Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stronghold Lyari and the MQM’s home constituency Azizabad.
In Azizabad, PTI’s Muhammad Jawed Jeelani secured 20,259 votes against MQM’s Khalid bin Wilayat, who won with 71,318 votes. In Lyari too, PTI candidate Subhab Ali Sahil won 26,348 votes even though the PPP has been sweeping this constituency since it was formed in 1968. PPP’s Shah Jahan Baloch - who was contesting Lyari’s seat from the jail - defeated Sahil with 84,530 votes , the latter’s position was better than Nabeel Gabool and PPP-Shaheed Bhutto leader Ghinwa Bhutto, who hardly managed 537 votes.
Even on election day, Lyari’s Baloch and Sindhi youth was divided between PPP and PTI camps. Most of them wore shirts and caps inscribed with the portrait of PTI chief Imran Khan and were shouting slogans to bring “change”. Apart from Lyari and Azizabad, the election commission results show that PTI bagged a significant number of votes from Sohrab Goth and SITE areas.
MQM’s Ali Raza Abidi, who was contesting from NA-251 Mehmoodabad and PECHS, won with 81,075 votes, but his PTI rival Raja Azhar Khan contested neck-and-neck and managed 39,766 votes. On the same seat, political stalwarts such as PML-N’s Nehal Hashmi and JI’s Zahid Saeed received 12,657 and 26,403 votes respectively. Even in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, the party gave a tough fight to the MQM as Arsalan Taj Ghuman secured 31,802 votes.
Leaders talk
PTI Karachi chief Dr Arif Alvi, who was contesting on NA-250, felt that if free and fair elections were held, the whole city would have been swept by their party.
“Soon after the election started two to three hours behind schedule, some people started firing in the area harassing the voters,” he recalled. “Later, our agents were kidnapped and a few of them were harassed.”
Most of the PTI candidates were of the view that they had a strong position in their areas and even the MQM - the city’s undisputed party - was not in a position to defeat them.
“We were a hundred per cent sure to win at least 10 national assembly seats from Karachi, but they rigged the elections,” said Dr Alvi.
Meanwhile, MQM deputy convenor Farooq Sattar, who won from NA-249, said that Karachi is still an MQM stronghold and no other party, even PTI, can change that. “The media has started creating hype and those parties which lost the election have started this blame game,” he said.
“The people of Karachi have rejected them through their votes and they should accept their defeat.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2013.
COMMENTS (69)
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Dear Political Parties,
Every political party wishes to win Karachi seats. They should know that abolishing quota system in urban Sindh is utmost necessary. If this is done then every thing would be settled. Only the ordinary make-up can not be-fool the 30 million Urdu Speaking Community in Urban Sindh. We understand that Panjabis, Pukhtoons, Balochies, Sindhis and even the Chief Justice can not do this, because they are to become a real Muslim at first, then justice would prevail. The above would also require to make ALL The people PAKISTANI.
YOURS IMTIAZ AHMED KHAN
It's a matter of time PTI will in sha allah clean sweep from Karachi in next election ....
lot of rigging in all karachi, if we have a fair and free repolling under army control in all polling station in whole karachi, then p.t.i will clean sweep easily
JIU-F and PPP rejected the mandate of PTI in KPK. PML-N, Sindhi Nationalists have rejected the mandate of PTI in SIndh PTI has rejected the mandate of PML-N in Punjab PTI and JI have rejected the mandate of MQM in Sindh BNP have rejected the mandate of PML-N and PKMAP in Balochistan
I have a solution, lets void these elections accross Pakistan and conduct new ones immediatly. But who would conduct free and fair elections? The bottomline is, these so called elections are held just for the sake of it. To make the world believe that we have democracy. Who would win and who would lose is decided elsewhere, plus minus a few seats here and there. My advise to everyone, dont get so worked up and carry on with your lives. Its all stage managed. Question for PTI Supporters: Since PTI is so clean, Imran Khan should offer repolling on all constitiencies PTI has won from, to set an example for everyone else to follow. If there has been no rigging in those areas and if people support him, he would get same number of votes again. And please do not ask other parties to do that same, as all of them are supposedly involved in rigging except PTI. So lets be brave and set an example. What do say ?
Can Any PTI supporter state any specific agenda that PTI has for Karachi's issues beyond just removing mqm and taking its place!
@mrs ahmed: Wishful thinking
all this hue and cry because 80 gaz ka nine zero became at par with raiwind mehal , zardari house and noe entrant bani gala , pls be aware 95% live in areas like NINE ZRO , they will never support these palaces , they will remain adhered to real world that is nine zero. What is wrong with urdu qaumiat , if we have punjabu quamiat , sindhi baloach and pakhtoon qaumiat , enough is enough , pls look at language of shabaz sharif "zar baba ko latkain gay" this open threat why does ppl do not understand , there should be full support cooperation this time genuin i mean between MQM and PPP , because punjabis are making inroads in the garb of PTI, i ask these PTI fans where were Alvi saheb when ABBAS town happened , they all our brave rabota commeette are on the scene within minutes , they have a real connect with people by the way PTI, is just a fashion end of sean we will have new lawn prints , MQM is ghareeb ka kapra it will last for long , till all the ghareebs have reached a middle class status of equality , when this stage arrives job is done , Altaff doesnt neeed self glory , it doesnt matter who rules when his people are delivered that is his goal
@Yasir Khokhar: khushbakhat shujaat has already said NA 250 is just not defence and clifton only
@Pakistani: Inshllah
@Nehal Alvi: What a fools world you people are still living dear. What I am seeing in Karachi is that all section of the city is fully exhausted by these 'Qomiat Slogan' and they all casted their votes to PTI which never uttered these slogan. Now its better for you to understand the real situation of Karachi. PTI got 40000 - 30000 voted in the constituencies like Azizabad, FBA, North Nazimabad etc. So I would request please re think about your approach now.
How come the second largest party didn't grab a single seat from Karachi?
@Real Muhajir: Did someone stepped on your tail?
I live in NA-245 constituency and have been living there since my childhood. MQM has always been very strong here and it is still a stronghold. PTI did make some progress but they will need to come a long way to beat MQM here. In this election, almost 85% of my family voted for MQM while the rest voted PTI, mainly young girls.
It is good sign for PTI to get second largest votes in Karachi. It was partly due to the boycott of JI. PTI would have been better off, if they had done sea adjustment with ten party coalition.
@BaeNiqaab: Slow day in MQM media office today ?
I feel no hesitation to accept that many of Karachi people vote for PTI specially in Posh Areas but still majority of middle class people in various areas of Karachi still support to MQM. PTI could gain three to four NA seats in Karachi with a tough fight. It is a real fact.
Congratulation to PTI on winning at least one seat. I agree it does not have more seats, but the party has got inspiring votes standing to second number.
I am from NA 250. And I can tell you that 95% of the people at my polling station were voting for PTI only.
My comment not posted! I posted about 4 hours ago and I can see so many other comments which were posted after that! not fair ET!
Remember that ! 80 percent lovers of MQM are living in Karachi, the Hub of Pakistan.
as PMLN made clean sweep in Punjab, why PTI failed to do so in KPK why you need Jamati'z support there. All media and PTI supports are yelling that Tsunami came in KPK you didnt even won 50% seats there. i suggest stop this crap and work hard to reach the grass root level in pakistan
Red Alert! Serious matter! NAYA PAKISTAN! TSUNAMI! .............................. Enough is Enough ! ...............................
Balmming of rigging is not new for MQM, i am an Urdu speaker my whole family supports MQM, i have two martyr in my family even my mother usually disappointed on some issues with MQM but she said that those people who doesn't know about our history and those who forget the ERA of 60s and 70s are going to give vote to PTI.
Ultimately they all were exist in JI. PTI has not real mandate in Karachi and yes after some time PTI must loose their dignity and honor because we all know that they could not make Naya Pakistan even they are not able to make Naya Khaiber.
Secondly, every one know that more then 10 parties made an alliance against MQM and tried to defeat them but Thanks God all have failed.
This is an ultimate rigidness of PTI to refuse MQM mandate. PTI could not take seats in next elections. There are million and thousands of lovers of MQM are living in the city.
Commission can re-poll ten times in Karachi, i promise that the result will be the same because a large vote difference is present in between PTI and MQM.
Yes PTI may win Mahmoodabad, Bin Qasim seats and might be they win kemarri too but they can not win these type of seats alone, for this they must need some alliance like JI, MDM or ST etc etc.
My suggestion is for PTIs children, leave roads AND go to your houses because Karachian can make massive dharnas to save their mandate.
Accept our Mandate .............. it is a wise advise.
Thanks
From Karachi, the PTI candidate in my constituency (NA-245) received the most votes (over 57,000 according to ECP's website) and the MQM candidate got 109000. Most people we talked to said they voted for bat. I was sure that at the very least PTI would win at least 3-4 NA seats from Karachi.
@Imtiaz MOHAJIR:
If that could happened than y not 272 seats in NA????
Be realistic. Very disappointed that PTI was white washed in PUNJAB.... people of punjab rejected MIKHAN..
@karachiwala: who would have though before to get more than 20 thousand votes from Azizabad. It means Azizabadis are losing the grip
@Nehal Alvi:
Really ??? I am a Muhajir and my whole family is big supporter of PTI all of my friends are too. Stop representing URDU speakings we dont support MQM!!!
Delhi colony is my vicinity which falls in NA-250 and tell u what it comprises majority of urdu speaking community and even here MQM could be able to beat PTI by just 85 votes.. MQM unit office bearers were shocked to see that result...! only PTI van bring peace in Khi...! :)
People talking here don't know what actually happened. 2 out of three voters here voted for PTI... even MQM voters opted for PTI. the trend was for PS MQM and for NA PTI
Dispite of all rigging which is fact but one thing is very clear and positive in this election. Good Competition is established and now these parties who are in position have to perform maturely on positive notes, otherwise no future for them in future elections. PTI is standing behinde with leadership and vision as backup.
@Usman: Even after extensive rigging, PTI is second largest party. #WeRejectPTI
PTI got the same kind of response from Karachi as did MQM in 1988 elections. That is why a British national is upset.
I can tell u if there was free and fair election at NA-256, pti could have easily won it. PTI can easily take 8 to 10 seat from karachi
For GOD sake, ET should not be biased. reporting neck to neck contest while vote difference is more than half. Karachi is the stronghold of Mutahida and remain the same irrespective of the propoganda and strong arm tactics by outsiders.
@ all brothers from Karachi. We can feel your feelings from your comments. but don't lose hopes. Inshallah we will bring change. how many times they will steal the elections. One day will come very soon and we will bring change in all Pakistan. Change is started from our province.
@the Skunk: PTI should play cricket than politics
Karachiite@ Imran Khan will prove that he is the true leader of Pakistan. You will see InshaAllah
Pakistani people are getting more involved into the politics and have understood the responsibility of themselves so they went out and voted for the parties they followed the ideology of.
people have given a chance to Imran Khan. You will see the party gets poor response in next election in 2018. It cannot perform. I am sure
@Real Muhajir: With due respects, the PTI is the new emerging tiger in Pakistan. They do stand for real and progressive change in Pakistan. Salams
PTI got this position despite the following facts:
1- Did not run any campaign in most parts of the city due to fear of Namaloom afrad 2- Did not have ground level workers or trained wokers in various constituencies 3- Did not have even polling agents in most of the polling stations in district central 3- No seniour leader conduct any Jalsa for the last one and a half year 4- Every person who voted for PTI thought he/she will be the only voter from the whole constituency. If they knew they were in so large number, the number would almost increase by 50% 5- Namaloom afrad had a hand picked and controlled/threatened polling staff. 6 -Namoolom afrad did massive rigging as they did in 2008
The fact is that while 50% of urdu speaking people are still with MQM, however, 50% of remaining (mostly educated) urdu speaking people support PTI. 54,000, 30,000 and 26,000 votes from Urdu speakers dominated constituencies is the clear proof. Secondly, most of the Pakhtun and Panjabi voter are with PTI. The fact that people of Karachi did not have a real option for the last 20 year. If the election are conducted in a free and fair manner, PTI can get atleast five seats and over the period PTI will replace MQM.
It is time to move on together and create an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect which is sadly lacking in our political culture and prepare for 2018
I belong to Liaquatabad. the young and educated lot really want change that is why they voted PTI in our area. we furrther can not afford guns and strikes politics in Karachi
PTI will have to support local body elections and local policing to gain strength in Karachi
I am from Karachi Central and an urdu speaking I never voted for any party in my life and this is the first time I went to the polling station to cast vote only for NAYA PAKISTAN i voted for Imran Khan Sahib and I can tell you that I saw people in long queues they were all quiet and I can feel from their eyes the sadness the pain in the heart, they came out for the silent revolution and as a last hope they all came for PTI. But after hearing the result it was a shock and it was hard to believe. The dream for NAYA PAKISTAN is gone…………………………….this election is a laughing stock for the corrupt politicians and blow for a patriotic Pakistani like me who love this country more than myself, my eyes are still running out of tears while writing this. Want to write more but havnt got the strength, can only say that my ALLMIGHT ALLAH may please bring good days for Pakistan
PTi start talking about Karachi issues only then ask for Karachi seats
though PTI did well but it was in no position to defeat MQM. even in NA 250 people think that its just defence but there are 10 other towns of middle and lower middle class who have voted and will keep voting for MQM. therefore saying that PTI was in good position than MQM in karachi is unrealistic and a joke. however i accept that PTI was in better position than Jamiyat and other parties in karachi. if they will start doing some development projects in karachi than they might win in the future but for that they have work and wait for 2018. people of karachi will never accept these dharnas or blackmailing of PTI they must understand the nature of Karachi's voter and must not use harsh or bad language against MQM, they have flu right to criticise MQM but have no right to give galiyan to anyone.
All people who are commenting against MQM actually are from JI and from Haqiqi. They are not saying any truth, this is their hate against MQM and they are using the mask of PTI
Please remember .... MQM represents Karachi ... Karachi does not represent MQM!
Of course, there is always one party that is at second place and this time it is PTI. Until previously, it used to be Jamaat-e-Islami. The difference in votes between MQM and PTI is roughly the same as what used to be between MQM and Jamaat-e-Islami. This is the seventh straight election where MQM has won bulk of Karachi. PTI is no threat to it. Arif Alvi is only crying like a baby,
Re-election in whole Karachi with Army deployed inside the polling stations with full autority, MQM will loose a lots of seats!!
If there are to be re-elections, then for god sake ECP use CCTV cameras in the electoral booths so the world can see evidently how blatantly elections are rigged and please stop putting a blindfold to this serious issue! It's a matter of our future!
Even after extensive rigging, PTI is second largest party.
PTI have done well, no doubt, but winning Karachi is a long shot. You need to run a 'campaign' in Karachi and not leave it alone citing 'security risk'. PTI are new to elections, keep working and one day who knows you will win Karachi too. It is fair to say that you didn't in 2013, yes there may have been rigging, but to say that PTI was going to win 10 NA seats in Karachi or sweep Lahore is laughable and equates to sour grapes. Work harder in 2018.
@Khurram The Muhajir: DO YOU LIVE IN JAPAN? JAMAT-E-ISLAMI has much vote bank in Karachi since their boycott all jamat vote turned to PTI!!!! better live in Pakistan than Japan.
PTI and PML-N contested elections under the patronage and protections of TTP and yet they are complaining about elections being unfair! If PTI’s performance in Karachi is taken as a victory then PPP and ANP wining a few seats in KPK despite the reign of terror by TTP and other rightwing terrorists must be a landslide! It is ironic that ANP, MQM and PPP were picking up their dead bodies while the two rightwing parties were celebrating are now complaining about fairness!
I am from karachi NA-256 and i can testify to the fact that Karaci is and will remain a stronghold of MQM.
IK Get well soon
Most of the PTI voters are actually either ex-MQM voters or those people who never stepped out to vote or voted for MQM thinking no one else can win or who hated MQM but never had a good option before, but there is still a huge population that supports MQM. It is true that PTI is now the second most popular party and may take majority some day, but not today. Please be realistic 1 or even 2 could be possible but 10 , really...
True and the party has gotten 54751 votes from NA 245. EXCELLENT performance of Imran led team
No one voted for MQM, but na maloom affraud stole the mandate. What else to expect of them.
Well done PTI proud of you.... Who would have thought of fighting election that close with MQM and PPP strong hold... Rise up next election is ours
I am from Karachi NA 253 and I can testify to the fact that PTI could have easily won 10 NA seats had there not been any rigging!
May be PTI may have become the second largest party, the voters of which was a small fraction, comparing of Punjabis and Pakhtoons, but MQM is the number one party in Karachi as the voters of MQM are consisting on 48% of tye total population comprising of pure Urdu Speaking people.
Two decades back, there was a political party in Karachi, which came and was known as Punjabi-Pakhtoon Ittehad, but today no body even knows that there was also Punjabi-Pakhtoon Ittehsd.
Instead of making hue and cry, PTI should gracefully accept its defeat, similar to ANP has accepted its defeat in Karachi.
Now PTI seems to be emerging as a National Party..Future is bright for PTI