Pakistan

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.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Moron | 9 years ago | Reply @Shehryar: So you dont believe in democracy and want to impose on people whom you like? No respect for the choice of people? If they elect MQM then they are insane, and if one votes for IK then he is educated? It is time for you to think why the public is voting for MQM instead of getting frustrated and disgusted!!

True Karachiite | 9 years ago | Reply So if MQM wins, Karachi is ruined and if PTI wins, Karachi will become Dubai? Non-sense! Understand local issues plaguing Karachi before farting out in the public.

Shehryar | 9 years ago | Reply Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. mqm will likely win NA-246. Karachi will get back to being violent with no regard for human life. It will prove that those voting for 20+ year status quo are officially insane.

hooligan | 9 years ago | Reply We will see who wins. voters are not forced to vote . why can't you see the truth. when will you accept the truth?

Abbaskhan | 9 years ago | Reply Pti will becoming the ruling party in pakistan in future.On the other handside if we talk about Pakistan bussiness hub Karachi thier condition is so much worst since 2000.Pti who believed on justice,equality would bring positive in the Karachi because this party does not support criminals like other parties.Pti ensure security and other human rights to Karachites without any interest , racial and cast or creed base.

Originally a Karachite | 9 years ago | Reply Keep up the good work IK! PTI is the only national party and it is only way out for Karachites to get involved in the mainstream national politics. Politics of MQM will only limit horizons of talented Urdu speaking people.

Mohammed | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: I don't think that Altaf will be pleased that you gave him such descriptions. If I was you I would watch my back.

Mohammed | 9 years ago | Reply I see the usual paid trolls are writing their usual tripe. PTI have more courage in their little fingers these thugs have ever had. Go PTI!

zàhid | 9 years ago | Reply All the above comments are betraying a deep bias against PTI. It looks the media team of MQM is working overtime to discredit Imran Khan in the eyes of people of karachi. Not a single commentator has touched the dismal track record on MQM on law and order and conveniently ignored its fear mongering politics. All of them also overlooked the space PTI created for itself by bagging a sizable vote from Karachi during last election.

asad | 9 years ago | Reply Imran Khan must be doing something right...just look at the comments....MQM, PMLN, PPP supporters all here giving their useless remarks.

zàhid | 9 years ago | Reply Karachi should bring in new political players to generate a competitive and enabling environment for people friendly policies resulting in collective good of the city. New parties if given chance will strive hard to deliver so as to consolidate their gain. MQM on its part will also make earnest efforts to reform itself thereby reinvigorating its pro middle class appeal. It will be a win win situation for Karachi.

straightshooter | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: The Karachites have already decided their fate – no to a racist, narcissistic, anarchist, lying, U-Turn taking and mentally deranged loony like you. In all fairness, the "virtues" mentioned by you fits both the gentlemen like a glove.

voter | 9 years ago | Reply i will vote for you and so will my family members. the politics of fear has to stop from here. we hav suffered for too long.

yaseenzai | 9 years ago | Reply it is the time the government should declared MQM outlawed organization because of many evidences people those who are not loyal to the country hate Imran but every one knows that he is one of the fearless leader in the country even opposites also accepted this wholeheartedly Altaf can go to India openly why not to Pakistan Imran khan brought many changes in kpk which the people never seen in last 60 years nawaz Sharif said their Government will overcome energy crisis in 3 months than 6 months than in 3 years now in 6 years these are not U Turns Altaf how many times resigned from the party these are not U Turns when ever khan stepped for positive they are saying it is u turn

Iqbal Ali | 9 years ago | Reply @ Adnan Siddiqui Who chant out MAHAJIR, MAHAIR......IK or Altaf, who is racist ?

Kamran Akmal | 9 years ago | Reply @ Adann Siddiqui You are biggest HYPOCRITE PML(N) supporter I ever came across. Allah is with IK...Think whatever you like :)

ny | 9 years ago | Reply @ adnan siddiqi: you just forgot to put Altaf Hussain's name in front of "qualities" you have described in your comments.

observer | 9 years ago | Reply National party should include it self in the mist of Balochistan since its the part of Pakistan too....

Faisal | 9 years ago | Reply What has PTI accomplished in NA250 with incumbent Arif Alvi, We need performance from PTI in the constituencies they represent. Look at the conditions of DHA and Clifton. The latter has just become a garbage dump. People went through great challenges to get PTI's rep elected from NA250, but no performance to date.

Hasan Askari | 9 years ago | Reply Wasn't this guy deciding the fate of this nation few months back?Tabdeeli? Let me guess the only tabdeeli that has come is in his stance. You are not an agent of change.You are an agent of chaos. You are a munafiq who talks about talking to your bhai in TTP who behead people but you want to conquer Karachi and its Zinda Laashein. Allah has taught you numerous lessons over time and you are not learning. You have failed many times. You have taken U turns many time. A day before election you fell flat on your face and your ghuroor went down the drain Still time...repent. Or Article 6 is your destination

Naveed rashed | 9 years ago | Reply G a altaf

Naveed rashed | 9 years ago | Reply Insha Allah mqm will win na 246 seat.insha Allah Imran Miyazaki will never come back in Karachi.

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply There are so many other factors in Karachi that nothing would change but PTI's third position will knock him from Karachi's political horizon for good. Imran is such a senseless politician that he has put his politics at stake at a battlefield where his opponent cannot lose.

raider | 9 years ago | Reply yes imran what you are doing in kpk, is sustainable change, once a imran may get a chance country through meritocracy will be out of this mess, keep aside political vested interests and keep hand on your heart then tell me is it wrong?

GHQ | 9 years ago | Reply Zindabad MQM! Zindabad Altaf Hussein!

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply The Karachites have already decided their fate - no to a racist, narcissistic, anarchist, lying, U-Turn taking and mentally deranged loony like you.

Replying to X