LAHORE: Senior political analyst Najam Sethi on Friday said the PTI created the hype in NA-246 by-poll, as Imran Khan wanted to prove that there was rigging in the last elections and his party had a vote bank. However, the result had exposed the propaganda about the rigging in 2013 general elections and Imran should accept that his allegations were baseless, he said. The MQM showed that the party’s vote bank was intact in NA-246, he added. Presenting his analysis in Geo News programme ‘Aapas ki Baat’, Sethi said the MQM had to prove in the by-poll that they were Mohajirs, not Muttahida, adding that Altaf had revived Mohajirism and reminded the Mohajirs that they would be targeted, if they (MQM) weren’t there. According to Sethi, Mohajirs have voted the MQM for their protection, while the MQM is reverting to Mohajirism - a strategy that has proved successful as the motivation was even more than the general elections. Generally, media supports Imran and the PTI had the advantage of a supportive media in the by-poll. The MQM’s disadvantage was that the operation had created an impression of being a terrorist organisation, the MQM is divided, Altaf is ill and the party is about to vanish. However, Altaf showed great wisdom in suggesting that they are the target and they have no choice except unity.Sethi said the NA-246 by-poll had proved “the people do not vote MQM due to fear. They vote MQM because of Mohajirism,” adding that the MQM was still being considered as the best party for defending the Mohajirs and their interests. According to Sethi, the MQM’s assertion slow polling was the reason behind fewer votes, as voters were there when the polling concluded, is genuine. Moreover, there are reports that some presiding officers were arrested for polling bogus votes in favour of PTI. Media is not investigating the matter. There is something really wrong. He said the vote bank of PTI was expanding in the affluent areas of Karachi and it would have better results in other constituencies in the future. The MQM did not give a freehand to PTI because some other people too would have thought that the party had weakened. Sethi said a scrutiny of voters similar to the one in NA-246 would not be possible in general elections, adding that the ECP could call in the security forces in future for ensuring better environment. “Those hurling rigging allegations are destroying elections and democracy,” he warned. Talking about the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif to Saudi Arabia, he said the recent troubles in bilateral relations had been addressed. The army chief accompanied the prime minister so that the reason behind not sending the troops could be explained with discussion on the prospects of future collaboration, Sethi added. He said it would be embarrassing to the Saudis, if even a small contingent of Pakistani troops wasn’t sent to the kingdom.Sethi said Saudi Arabia’s strategy on Yemen had failed and the airstrikes could produce the desired results. On the other hand, the situation had worsened alarmingly for civilians in Yemen and the conflict was benefiting Al-Qaeda, which had been gaining the ground.He said “the biggest enemy of Saudi Arabia is Al-Qaeda, not the Houthis,” adding that Yemen could again be divided, if the situation persisted.
