As the by-polls in NA-246 come closer, political parties are announcing support for one party or the other. PML-N has pledged support for JI while the MWM has announced support for PTI. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
LAHORE/ KARACHI:
The Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) has pledged support for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in the upcoming by-elections in the NA-246 constituency. The by-poll is scheduled for April 23.
The decision was taken after the PTI candidate, accompanied by party leaders, requested the MWM to support the PTI in the by-election. MWM central leader, Maulana Ali Hussain Naqvi, told The Express Tribune that the party has decided to support the PTI after consulting its members. He said there were various reasons for supporting the PTI in the by-polls. "Since 2008, we have supported the MQM but the party has never supported our cause."
He said that many Shia citizens were killed since 2008, but the MQM had never addressed their cause even when they were part of the government. A party source said that the PTI has promised to support the MWM in the upcoming general elections in Gilgit Baltistan and discussions were underway for seat adjustment between the two parties in the local bodies' elections.
On the other hand, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has announced to support Rashid Naseem, the Jamat-e-Islami (JI) candidate for the NA-246 constituency. The decision was announced during a press conference held at the Muslim League House on Sunday where the PML-N's Sindh chapter president, Muhammad Ismail Rahu, said that his party would support the JI for Karachi's peace.
PML-N hopes to make comeback
The PML-N hopes to make a comeback in Karachi after August 14. The Punjab education minister, Rana Mashood, revealed this plan during a press conference in Lahore. He was of the opinion that an independent political struggle had only been made possible in Karachi due to the PML-N backed operation, which he claimed was not against any specific party. "This is the reason that the PML-N did not put up their candidate for the NA-246 elections," he said, explaining that it would have dampened the spirit of the on-going operation in Karachi.
Addressing the increasing popularity and presence of PTI in the city, he said that earlier, Imran Khan was afraid of even stepping into Karachi, but today he could go into the city because of the efforts made by the PML-N.
'PTI rally a flop'
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) candidate for NA-246, Kanwar Naveed, has claimed that most of the participants at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf rally were not residents of the same constituency. They had come from other parts of the city to fill the large number of chairs placed at the venue.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Naveed advised his rival party leaders to use 'parliamentary language' during their election campaign and not abuse other parties. He added that it was the right of all political parties to conduct public meetings but they must follow the code of conduct.
Pasban demands new province
Pasban-e-Pakistan general secretary and candidate for NA-246, Usman Moazzam, has asked citizens to vote for 'Karachi province' on April 23, to commence a new chapter of progress and prosperity in the mega city.
Addressing a rally on Sunday, he said that the mainstream political parties should admit they had failed to serve the city and they should withdraw their candidates in favour of Pasban. Moazzam claimed that Raiwand Mahal and Surrey Palace had been built from the income of Karachi while its citizens were still deprived of electricity, water, public transport, education and healthcare. He said that Karachi does not need charity but its due rights. He added that the Pasban-e-Pakistan demands a separate 'Karachi province', as the growing problems of this mega city needed a new administrative setup to resolve them.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2015.
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