While the kites soared, the black ribbons fluttered

MQM voters come out in force, 'peaceful protest' by the ANP.

KARACHI: Although the newly constructed Bacha Khan flyover was the scene of violence the night before, it carried The Express Tribune team safely across to Orangi Town on Monday.

While no Rangers or police personnel could be seen from SITE towards Orangi Town, a large number of law enforcers popped up towards the Bacha Khan flyover, which is not more that two minutes away from the PS-94 constituency.

Four vehicles and eight motorcycles bearing Rangers jawans crossed our path. Moving ahead, we could see more of them deployed alongside streets and roads.

“Thank God one party boycotted the election. Otherwise we would have suffered for days to come,” said Taj Haider Khan, a fruit vendor. “These elections have made our lives miserable. Who cares about who wins or loses? Let us do our jobs.”

The MQM stronghold

In Haryana Colony, where violence had been reported, the UC 2 polling stations were “sensitive” because of around 25,000 registered voters. Most residents vote for the MQM as they belong to the Urdu-speaking community.

Muhammad Ali, an MQM supporter, said that even if the ANP has contested, they would not have received more than a few votes in the area. “Why would people vote for them? They have done nothing,” he said. The number of residents expected to vote at Government Boys Girls Secondary School, Haryana Colony -  a polling station for women - was 1,064. By 3 pm, around 800 residents had turned up.

“Hopefully, others will also cast their votes,” said presiding officer Jameel-ur Rehman. Eight Rangers jawans stood on the top of the building and four police cars were parked outside the station.

A silent protest by the ANP

On the border of Haryana Colony lies Farid Colony, where most residents support the ANP. After the party’s decision to boycott the election, all that greeted us were black ribbons that fluttered in the wind as a symbol of their protest.

“Our demands were not met by the government so we are protesting peacefully,” said Safdar Afridi, an ANP worker. He was one of the many young men who were sitting outside polling station Al Qadeer Public School. Afridi said that they did not want any violence and anyone who wanted to vote would be unhindered. “It is their right. But I am not voting.”

According to the station’s presiding officer, while the estimated number of voters in the area was 1,500, no one had come. “We don’t expect any votes today,” he said. On the way back, a law enforcer near the flyover said that the elections had been peaceful. “We were not expecting this day to be this peaceful,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2010.