KARACHI (Republic policy) – Workers of Pakistan People’s Party and Jamaat-e-Islami clashed outside the venue for the mayoral election minutes after PPP’s Murtaza Wahab was declared the winner.
Charged workers pelted each other with stones prompting police and Rangers to disperse them through baton charges.
Earlier, Pakistan People’s Party candidate Murtaza Wahab was elected Karachi mayor, defeating Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.
Murtaza Wahab bagged 173 votes, while Naeemur Rehman could secure 161 votes. The election was held on show of hand basis. The voting started at 11:00 am.
The election was held at the Arts Council’s auditorium. Of 366 members, 333 were present at the polling venue, while 33 could not reach the polling venue to vote. As the voting started, the doors of the auditorium were closed.
Around 300 Rangers and police personnel were deployed to secure the election venue. The Interior Ministry on Wednesday approved the deployment of Rangers in Karachi for the mayor and deputy mayor elections.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had written a letter to the Ministry of Interior to provide security for the elections of Karachi’s mayor and deputy mayor, but it was denied.
On the refusal of a request by the Ministry of Interior, Election Commission Secretary Umar Hameed wrote to the Interior Secretary again, after which the Interior Ministry approved the deployment of Rangers in the port city.
The Interior Ministry said that the number of paramilitary troops and their deployment would be decided after consultation with the ECP officials.
Sudden change in venue
As the scheduled election for mayor and deputy mayor in Karachi approached, a sudden venue change was made due to the adverse weather conditions resulting from cyclone Biparjoy.
Originally elections were to take place at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, and the election has been moved to the Arts Council auditorium. Officials made This decision as a precautionary measure, considering the expected rainfall and the approaching cyclone Biparjoy which is quickly advancing towards Karachi.
Murtaza Wahab
Wahab holds a B.Com degree from the University of Karachi, an LLB from the University of London and a Bar at Law from Lincoln’s Inn. He has served as an advocate of the High Court of Sindh and held several advisory roles in the Sindh government, including adviser on law, information, anti-corruption, environment and coastal development.
