Apr 05 , 2015
News
ECP, MQM creating hurdles in PTI’s poll campaign: Imran Ismail
KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Imran Ismail said his party was facing hurdles in their election campaign and blamed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for it.
“It has become difficult to carry out the election campaign, therefore, we demand the constituency be given under army’s control,” Imran Ismail said while addressing a press conference here at Water Pump roundabout in NA-246 Constituency.
Imran Ismail has been fielded by PTI to contest by-polls scheduled for April 23 in NA-246 – the constituency located in the stronghold of MQM.
He said due to the hurdles he has been unable to launch the PTI’s poll campaign the way it had been planned in the NA-246 Constituency.
Ismail said he has openly conveyed his party’s concerns and grievances to the Commissioner Karachi during his meeting with the latter.
He regretted the statement of Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah in which he said the past statistics suggest that the Constituency belongs to MQM, wondering, if parties decided to label constituencies as their own, what would be the point of contesting the elections.
He said his party would participate in the Sindh Assembly session on Monday.
Earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan also announced to end to his party’s ongoing boycott and said they would return to Parliament.
“We want the MQM to know that we will not be deterred by its despicable tactics,” Imran Ismail snapped.
Commissioner Karachi
Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui on Sunday said a zero tolerance approach will be adopted towards violation of Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) code of election by any of the contending parties in the ongoing electioneering in NA-246.
He was talking to media following a meeting with the representatives of PTI and MQM including the nominated contenders for NA-246 constituency. He said neither of the two candidates nor of any other party will be allowed to take law into their own hands under one or the other pretext.
“Karachi administration is and shall remain absolutely impartial during the entire exercise,” said the Commissioner.
In reply to a question about PTI candidate Imran Ismail’s demand for presence of Rangers and Army in the area as well as at polling booths during election on April 23, the Commissioner said that every party holds rights to bring forward its demands.
Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui said the Karachi administration as per directives of Sindh Chief Minister is committed to ensure free, fair and transparent polls in NA-246 for which no less than 15 contestants are in the run.
Additional Inspector General of Police Karachi Ghulam Qadir Theebo on the occasion said police is committed to provide protection to all citizens and that they are also committed to fulfilling their responsibilities in coordination with the Rangers and also with Pakistan Army.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk