MQM all around as rivals go missing in action

Karachi: Amid extraordinary security measures by the Sindh Rangers and police, polling stations in PS-117 and PS-106, the two constituencies where by-elections were held on Thursday, offered a deserted view till around mid-day, when mainly the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) supporters started coming in to cast their votes. 

In the absence of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), which once again decided to stay away from by-polls in Karachi along with the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz and the Mohajir Qaumi Movement – Haqiqi, the MQM almost stood alone on ground as the other two main parties – the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf – ended up contesting as merely ceremonial participants. 

Similarly, while the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl), Pasban and independent candidates did contest the polls, none of them managed to make a mark on polling day.

In such a scenario, as one moved around the two constituencies on polling day, it was only the MQM’s supporters who could be seen at a number of camps set up by the party. 

“The JI could at least show up on ground by setting up electoral camps. The PPP and PTI, on the other hand, have been virtually invisible in the constituency,” said an MQM voter and resident of PIB Colony, Muhammad Basil, while talking to The News outside a polling station.

In PS-117, which includes areas of PIB Colony, Aminabad, Clayton Quarters, Jamshed Quarters, Jehangir Road, Martin Quarters, Usmania Mohajir Colony, Pakistan Quarters, Islam Nagar, People’s Colony, Mohammadi Colony, Mustafa Colony, Patel Para, Garden East, Soldier Bazaar, Parsi Colony and Catholic Colony, the PTI failed to get its mass contact campaign off the ground. 

“The situation was totally different in the 2013 general elections. There were long queues of PTI supporters at many polling stations in the area,” said Wasiq Usman, who voted for the PTI candidate in the by-polls.

“I still consider Imran Khan a better option than all the others. But, he really has failed to organise his party’s structure.”

Near the CDGK Primary School on Jehangir Road, which was transformed into a polling station, the only election office of the PTI remained closed throughout the day. 

“MQM voters seemed to be at complete ease since there really was no one challenging their party, like the PTI did in 2013. The voter turnout was bound to be low since it is a working day,” said a sector member of PS-117, while justifying the low number of voters who came out in a constituency long considered a Muttahida stronghold. 

The voter turnout in PS-106, which comprises parts of Azizabad, Liaquatabad, and FB Area, was not lower than PS-117; however, considering it is a neighborhood of the party’s headquarters, Nine Zero, it was still nowhere near a substantial show of force. 

Dr Sagheer’s spectre looms

The by-polls to PS-117 were held as the seat had been vacated by former MQM leader Dr Sagheer Ahmed, who joined the Pakistan Sarzameen Party (PSP) and resigned from his provincial ministry.

Along with a number of banners hung by the MQM in support of its candidate, Major (Retd) Syed Qamar Abbas for the provincial assembly seat, one could also see a few walls in the constituency, especially in Usmania Mohajir Colony, where chalking in favour of Dr Sagheer still remains visible. 

“People still respect Doctor Sahab as he had served the constituency for around a decade. The party has also adopted a flexible position for its rivals,” said an MQM activist of the area, requesting anonymity.

Other MQM supporters in the area said the chalking was simply not removed as the party did not want to “waste energy” on such tasks. 

Polls on a working day

Voters and activists of different parties complained that the Election Commission of Pakistan had once again scheduled by-polls on a working day. In April 2016, the ECP had also scheduled by-polls to NA-245 and PS-115 on a weekday.

“Decisions like these mean that even the people who want to cast their votes and be part of the electoral process, simply cannot due to everyday work commitments,” said Usama Jamal, a voter at a polling station in PS-106.