MQM workers attack PTI's election camp in Karachi

PTI flags set on fire; Rangers called to control the situation

KARACHI: Scores of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers attacked Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) election camp in Karimabad area of Karachi on Friday night, destroying the camp completely.

Campaign for NA-246 by-elections was underway when workers of both the parties clashed, and chanted slogans against each other.

MQM workers reportedly set PTI flags on fire as well.

PTI chief Imran Khan also criticised the attack on the election camp by the MQM workers.

Altaf Hussain proving MQM can only win by using Hitler's Nazi party fascist tactics. MQM goons have made us more determined than ever. 1/2

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 3, 2015

Police soon reached the area and baton-charged the workers in an attempt to disperse the crowd, and a few protesters were detained.

Read: Standoff: Supporters come face to face again

While PTI candidate for the constituency Imran Ismail managed to escape the scene, MQM leaders, including Haider Abbas Rizvi, Farooq Sattar and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui reached the area to control the situation.

MQM goons attacked us while v were sitting at our camp in kareemabad. Stoned us, did lathi charge, and physically beaten up our boys

— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) April 3, 2015

Rangers were also called to get things under control.

Talking to Express News, MQM leader Kunwar Naveed dismissed the reports, saying those who attacked were not MQM workers but “citizens of Karachi”.

By-polls in Karachi’s NA-246, which fell vacant after Nabil Gabol, who was elected on an MQM ticket in the 2013 general elections, resigned last month after developing differences with the party, are scheduled for April 23.