Barring fistfights, Punjab polls remain peaceful

PTI worker killed in Faisalabad in firing on celebratory rally

LAHORE:

The first phase of the local government elections in Punjab remained largely peaceful barring fistfights and minor scuffles among supporters of rival candidates in almost all 12 districts that went to polls on Saturday. However, one worker of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was killed when Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supporters allegedly opened fire on a PTI rally in Faisalabad.

PTI supporters were celebrating the victory of their candidate, general councillor Rehmat Ali, on Dajkot Road in Ali Ward – about 200 feet away from the house of Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah – when they were fired upon. As a result, one PTI worker, identified as Mubasshar Ahmad, was killed and two others received injuries.

A large number of PTI workers staged a demonstration and chanted slogans against the PML-N leadership and demanded immediate arrest of the killers. Police contingents were called in to bring the situation under control. DCO Noorul Amin Mengal told the media that the ECP has sought a report on the clash from the provincial police chief and the district administration.

In Faisalabad’s UC-116, supporters of Ashiq Rehmani, an independent candidate fielded by PML-N’s Sanaullah, pelted stones on the vehicle of Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali, who was going to the polling station where his elder brother Aamir Sher was contesting the polls.

Despite a ban on carrying weapons, reports of heavy firing by supporters of winning candidates continued to pour in.

Tempers run high

Dozens of people were injured in scuffles among supporters of different candidates in several districts.

In Bhakkar, at least 29 people were wounded in fistfights in different union councils. Three men were arrested for carrying weapons in violation ECP’s electoral guidelines. The Rangers were called in to control the violence.

In Faisalabad, three people suffered bullet wounds when two rival groups came face to face in Kalim Shahbaz Park.

In Okara, police arrested a PTI leader for disturbing the law and order situation as activists of the PTI and PML-N clashed and tore down ballot papers. Police also registered a case against former MNA Rai Mujtaba Kharal for triggering the fight.

A number of people were hurt during vociferous altercations between PML-N and PTI supporters in Gulberg, Railway Colony, Misri Shah, Green Town, Lakhoder, Tarab Sarai, Khokhar Road and Garhi Shahu in Lahore.

In Gujrat’s UC-6, presiding officer Muhammad Sharif died of a cardiac arrest. In UC-11, a fight among supporters of the ruling party and PML-Quaid left two people injured.

In Pakpattan, two more men were hurt in a firing incident in UC-22. Police arrested three suspects, including a candidate for the chairman slot, Ghulam Sarwar Dogar.

In People’s Colony of Vehari, a fight between two rival political groups injured two men.

In Okara, 15 people were injured and 67 people were arrested with FIRs registered against 11 of them. Pakistan Peoples Party leader Roy Ghullam Mustufa escaped after allegedly thrashing the presiding officer at polling station No. 4.

In Bahawalnagar, a case has been registered against 350 men for violating the ECP code of conduct while 150 people were arrested.

In Pakpattan, 10 people were injured and seven were arrested during clashes. FIRs have been registered against 890 suspects of PML-N, PTI and independent candidates over displaying weapons and unnecessary use of loudspeakers. In Vehari, 21 people were injured in various incidents while seven more were hurt in fights across Lodhran.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2015.