NA-246 by-polls will decide the fate of Karachi: Imran

Imran urges Rangers to ensure people 'freely' vote on the day of by-polls


Web Desk April 18, 2015
Imran Khan. PHOTO: INP

Touching down in Karachi for his rally on Sunday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said the NA-246 by-polls would determine the fate of Karachi.

“One seat in the National Assembly will not make a difference to PTI, but it will change the future of Karachi,” the PTI chairman said, while addressing the media in Karachi.

“NA-246 is crucial for Karachi’s fate,” Imran added.

Read: NA-246 by-polls: ECP turns down Rangers request for biometric systems

Claiming that Karachi has been gripped by “an atmosphere of fear” for the past 25 years, Imran urged Rangers to ensure people vote and are not held back.

“For the past 25 years there has been an atmosphere of fear in Karachi but the Rangers should not let the same happen on the day of by-polls.”

Imran added that his party has never picked up weapons and would never do so. "PTI is spreading all across Pakistan, while the other parties have become regional,” he said.

Further, the PTI chief requested its rival party in the by-polls, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, to allow the people of Karachi to vote freely.

“I request MQM to allow people to vote for the candidate they want and not to influence their decisions,” he added.

Read: For free, fair elections: Law enforcers demand biometric voting for NA-246 by-polls

The PTI chairman arrived in Karachi on Saturday along with his wife Reham Khan and party leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Jehangir Tareen. PTI is set to display its might on Sunday as it has organised a rally at Jinnah Bagh, MQM’s stronghold.

Read: NA-246 by-polls: PTI announces to hold rally at Jinnah Ground on April 19

Candidates from MQM, PTI and Jamaat-e-Islami are strong contestants in the NA-246 by-polls. The seat fell vacant after MQM candidate Nabeel Gabool resigned from his position due to differences with the party.

COMMENTS (28)

Zain | 9 years ago | Reply It's time MQM realizes there's another force and another option for the people of Karachi. Politics through violence and militant wings will no longer be tolerated by the Citizens of Karachi. MQM has been ruling over Khi for over a decade now and things are gone from bad to worse. Karachi deserves better than mobile snatchers, target killers, bhatta khors and weapons. Karachi deserves peace, prosperity and growth. Although it seems difficult for PTI to bag a victory the fact that PTI has given MQM a run for the money shows it is truly a National Party!
Haris (Canada) | 9 years ago | Reply Reading some of the comments, it just blows my mind that people have so much hate in Pakistan. Person A supports PTI: (Pro Comments) Oh must be an educated individual, with a Naya Pakistan vision. (Con Comments)Blindly follows Imran Khan who is nothing but talks and has not proven anything concreate politically. Look at KPK, what has he or his party has accomplished other than flop darnaas and rallies….. well he did score big and got married to Rehma.. so that’s an accomplishment. Person B supports MQM: (Pro Comments) Middle class educated individual, when given control of Karachi have really worked hard. Loved by mass Urdu speaking folks who have faced racism and discrimination one way or another. (Con Comments) Altaf Hussain is a weird character, violence is how MQM runs its politics. Alliance with PPP and on the other hand they talk about feudalism. Well at the end of the day both individual are entitled to their opinion and they should both respect each others stance.
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