Sindh

Show of strength: MQM chief predicts smashing victory in NA-246 by-elections

MQM chief predicted a complete defeat of his rivals in the crucial forthcoming elections

Web Desk April 18, 2015

PHOTO: MUHAMMAD NOMAN/EXPRESS

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has predicted a landslide victory in the forthcoming NA-246 by-polls, saying analysts should judge their popularity with the huge number of people attending the gathering.

These views were expressed as the MQM demonstrated a ‘show of power’ in, what they claimed, biggest procession in the history of Karachi, Express News reported on Saturday.

Taking rival parties to task, the Altaf predicted for them a complete defeat in the forthcoming crucial by-elections.

He also appealed Rangers to arrest whoever they want but only through fair trial and avoid resorting to torture. This way, he added, the MQM will not register any sort of protest on any of the arrests.

Shedding light on the election manifesto of the party, Altaf said they want to initiate development projects especially in the far-flung areas. He called upon his party workers to eliminate the ‘ongoing status quo from Pakistan and bring reformatory, positive changes to ensure honorable life for the people of Pakistan, providing them with the basic necessities of life.

He furthered said that the MQM wants and loves peace and coexistence and intends to promote this culture in the country. He also called for adopting an independent and dignified foreign policy.

Altaf urged the authorities and those sitting at the helm of affairs to do everything they can for the minorities, the poor and the weak. He also paid homage to the armed forces and the law enforcement agencies for their commitment to eradicating terrorism and restoring peace.

Altaf also alleged that Tariq Mehboob, Sunni Ittehad Council activist was killed by torture during detention and did not die a natural death as being claimed.

On the occasion, the activists of the party observed a minute of complete silence after their chief called for demonstrating exemplary silence.

Earlier, Khalid Makhbool Siddiqui, Farooq Sattar and other leaders of the party addressed the participants of the gathering.

The MQM is mainly challenged in its stronghold, NA-246 constituency, by the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), whose chairman arrived in Karachi today to boost the electioneering campaign. He addressed a press conference accompanied by their candidate for the polls, Imran Ismael and other significant party leaders.

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

The PTI is also set to stage a political showdown ahead of the polling and reassert their stance of ‘change’ and terror-free politics in the metropolis.

Yesterday, the MQM chief had announced to handover all matters of the party to the Rabita Committee, only to reverse his decision after a couple of hours later as the party’s activists reassured him of their commitment and loyalty.

With just four days left to the all-important elections, political temperature has been rising with all the contestant political parties vigorously running their respective campaigns.

On the other hand, the ECP has refused Rangers the installation of biometric systems at the polling stations due to lack of time and technical issues.

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

The NA-246 seat fell vacant after MQM’s Nabeel Gabool resigned from the position and the party after developing differences with them.

COMMENTS (21)

Citizen of Karachi | 9 years ago | Reply PTI has not yet offered anything tangible to Karachi. Does it support a full fledged metrpolitan government in Karachi with a directly elected mayor and with police and transport under the metropolitan government. Does it oppose the rural-urban quota system in Sindh. Does it state that police should be manned locally. Does it demand that the split of Karachi into 26 different provincial and federal fiefdoms be finished off forthwith. Can it state this without waffling and without equivocations. Those Karachiites who - the real sort that is - who are supporting PTI need to put these questions to their leadership. Of course, PTI trolls would jump to ask what has mqm has done in this respect. Of course, mqm may have faltered from its path but then to be a true challenger, you need to challenge them on an agenda not on the basis of inane allegations and crazy homilies of making Karachi a city of peace. In the absence of any concrete agenda for Karachiites, the citizens of this blighted city are justified in considering you just another pretender for the throne of Karachi - and one who does not even belong to this city.

Ahmad | 9 years ago | Reply Someone very rightly stated that MQM should not show its power to this extent, because PTI still has its most powerful option to boycott election. I would like to invite PTI leadership k very first they try to understand the issues of the ppl of Sindh Urban Areas, then think to contest in election. otherwise on the shoulders of establishment PTI never win any seat in any assembly. But PTI is trying to repeat 2013 election history when they won DHA NA seat with the help of establishment.

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Ahmad | 9 years ago | Reply To those who support mqm , you should consider that mqm has been in power for around 30 years now. Can't you see what has become of Karachi under them. I can't understand how people can put their faith in someone who has failed them again and again, someone who has not only failed to deliver on his promises,but by all accounts , actively made the situation much worse.

asad | 9 years ago | Reply What a waste of nation's resources to hold these rallies. Govt must charge for providing security to so called leaders who can afford private security. Nothing is free in this world

Ahmad | 9 years ago | Reply Everyone knows the evil tactics of MQM, and if people of Karachi still elect MQM, then what can one say. I can only pray for them. May Allah grant them wisdom and guidance..

Ahsan | 9 years ago | Reply It is true MQM has proved huge strength on yesterday,But now MQM has to rebuild the entire party from ground level to top level. MQM has to changed complete policy of National Politics , Agenda, Strategy of Alliance with other Power players . MQM has to rethink the real objectives , MQM has to set new Goals, MQM has to empower their an ordinary supporters to till supreme leaders of the party with best Education, Knowledge,Unity and bring that old theme of Brotherhood, Respect and pure tactics of contribution in problem solving issues of a common man. MQM has to realized City of Karachi top priorities. MQM has to bring that performance and results for people of Karachi , which they did some 20 years back, MQM has to do some innovative and career oriented projects purely for City of Karachi and living societies of Karachi without boundaries of Race , Color and Religion. MQM has to accept these facts , Now World has changed , People are more informative, challenges are different , So Better bring an innovated MQM instead of doing that old tactics while your competitors just born yesterday. MQM latest competitors buying sympathies from common man of society. I have humble request with MQM, kindly work on that layer of society , rebuild the confidence, compensate them, who has lost their assets, love ones or any complain . rectify it spontaneously without consideration of that even is there any involvement of Party Old worker or NA / PA member of MQM. Please support them who victimize due to the incident. Fulfill the meaning of MQM ( Muttahida Qaumi Movment means ( Urdu speaking along with all races staying in Karachi like Phatan, Sindhi, Punjabi, Baloch, every one). If MQM doesn't rethink on above issues , I have a believe in other 2 elections PTI,JAMAT ISLAMI,ANP, SUNNI THAREK will send it them back again on that vote bank which MQM has on their Municipality election and then they have to work again from beginning. But not sure it will give MQM same position or not. Believe it or not it is year 2015 be smart and intelligent else a common man know whom he has to select . Good Luck.

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.

Ameer Paul | 9 years ago | Reply MQM wins this time or looses, does not matter most. The margin with which MQM won previous elections and the margin this time will tell us the popularity of MQM. I am surprised to see the gathering in MQM recent meeting. I was of the opinion that people of Karachi are educated people and they will differentiate. Let's see who wins this time.

syedpk | 9 years ago | Reply NA246 belongs to MQM :) Inshallah will caste the vote.

Ur name | 9 years ago | Reply not every trick tried, still some tricks r left to use against This evil party out of politics, they didn do because they r busy with external criminals n r dealing very well,

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply MQM need not to show so many people otherwise Imran will use his last and most famous option....Boycott.

Azi | 9 years ago | Reply @Hasan Askari: Yeah, innocents who confessed, and proved guilty of murders. All mqm, you people are but sheep. Every crime drunk Hussain commits and orders you about from outside. A foreign national commanding you, in your own country. You people have no dignity at all.

HB | 9 years ago | Reply Horrible English

Kamran Akmal | 9 years ago | Reply @ Hassan Askari Plz read history. MQM was created by ZIA against PPP and were touts of establishment throughout. They even joined Musharraf. Secondly, everyone come on power because of establishment, those who say otherwise are hypocrites

ny | 9 years ago | Reply @ hasan askari: the number of innocent people mqm has killed is far outnumbered than those killed by the rangers. have you already forgotton saulat mirza's revelations?

Viking Star | 9 years ago | Reply Yes MQM may win their home seat but the number of votes cast in their favor would be much much low because they wont be able to use "thappa" this time. For other contituencies of KHI in next election and for LB pools, it will be a sign of worry for MQM as they surely would lose so many NA/PA/LB seats because of NO THAPPA.

Kamran Akmal | 9 years ago | Reply @Hassan Askari JI Jalsa was much bigger than this, even PTI Jalsa will be record breaking. MQM was created by establishment to counter PPP in Sindh. Every Party came in Power because of establishment. Its a blatant TRUTH...

Atif Ajmal | 9 years ago | Reply @Hassan Askari JI Jalsa was much bigger than this, even PTI Jalsa will be record breaking. MQM was created by establishment to counter PPP in Sindh. Every Party came in Power because of establishment. Its a blatant TRUTH

Fed Up | 9 years ago | Reply Can anyone tell me how a party that constantly allies itself with the PPP is going to remove the ''ongoing status quo from Pakistan"?

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply Altar Bhai will be proved right, the MQM will will......... BUT PTI's win will be of a different nature.

Hasan Askari | 9 years ago | Reply Every trick in book was tried to get MQM out of politics and this is the result. Rangers killed many innocents, showed bias, preparing to stuff ballots but still such a huge jalsa. Imran is a tool a tattoo of establishment. He will take a Uturn on 23 and never return. InshALlah

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