Qaim orders Rangers, police to ensure transparent by polls in NA-246

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah Sunday ordered Rangers and police to ensure free, fair and transparent by elections in NA-246 constituency scheduled for April 23.

“The by polls in NA-246 constituency will be held under the supervision of Rangers and police,” said the spokesman of CM Sindh in a statement.

The spokesman said the credit for restoration of peace in the provincial capital goes to the Rangers and police, and they can also ensure order on the day of election in the metropolis.

He further said that the leadership of both Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) should exhibit political maturity ahead of the upcoming by elections.

Tension sparked between PTI and MQM ahead of the by polls in NA-246 and the PTI’s plan to stage a rally on April 19 in Jinnah Ground which is located in what is said to be the stronghold of MQM.

On Friday the election camp of PTI set up at Karimabad area was attacked by what PTI believes were the activists of MQM.

However, MQM refutes the PTI’s claims, saying the PTI’s camp was dismantled by the local residents who were enraged by the statements of PTI leaders against MQM Chief Altaf Hussain and other leaders of the party.

Earlier, PTI’s candidate Imran Ismail and his workers were attacked when they arrived at Jinnah Park to examine the preparations of their upcoming election rally which will be addressed by the party Chairman Imran Khan.

The TV footages showed men hitting the cars of PTI leaders with bats, sticks and kicks as they made their way out of the Jinnah Park.