News
June 16 , 2023
Clashes Erupt between JI, PPP after Murtaza Wahab Emerges Victorious
Karachi: Clashes erupted between JI and PPP supporters outside the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) in Karachi on Thursday after the polling for the city mayor’s election concluded.
South Deputy Inspector General (DGP) Irfan Ali Baloch told Dawn.com that clashes broke out after reports of PPP’s Barrister Murtaza Wahab winning the polls surfaced.
Karachi police detained eight suspects after the clashes at the ACP, where the polling was held. Hours later, South Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Syed Asad Raza told Dawn.com that all detained JI workers had been released.
According to Returning Officer (RO) Nazr Abbas, Wahab won the election for the seat of the mayor by getting 173 votes while JI’s Naeemur Rehman remained runner-up with 160 votes.
In a media talk a little after 5pm, he said PPP’s Salman Murad was successfully elected as the deputy mayor after bagging 173 votes and defeating JI’s Saifuddin, who managed to get 160 votes.
“Starting from 9am, votes were cast by raising hands and then validated in the register,” Nazr told reporters, adding that the process was conducted four times for both the mayor and deputy mayor.
He also stated that PTI’s Firdous Shamim Naqvi failed to cast his vote.
Clashes
Immediately after the results were known, scuffles were reported between JI and PPP workers. Footage run on DawnNewsTV showed huge crowds of supporters pelting stones at security personnel blocking projectiles with their riot shields.
SSP Raza told Dawn.com that some JI supporters started raising slogans against their rivals which resulted in a clash between both parties and a “law and order situation” emerged.
The official said the police attempted to control the situation by charging batons against enraged supporters. “During this, two to three JI members were injured.”
He later said three injured people were taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. “They had sustained minor injuries and were discharged after first aid,” he added.
Meanwhile, DIG Baloch said the police had chalked out a strategy to control the situation after 5pm when the official result of the elections would be announced.
“We hope that there would no further clashes but if any one attempted to spoil the situation, force would be used,” he told Dawn.com.
The DIG further disclosed that the leadership of both parties had given “assurances” to the law enforcers that they would not create any situation that may lead to law and order problems.
He added that all the roads leading to the ACP had been cleared and reopened for the public.
On the other hand, JI spokesperson Zahid Askari told Dawn.com that the clash was initiated by the PPP, claiming that its workers threw stones at JI supporters.
Askari claimed five-six JI activists were injured during the baton charge and nearly a dozen others were “missing”… - Dawn
According to a report in The Express Tribune, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) candidate Murtaza Wahab appeared victorious in the election for Karachi mayor on Thursday after securing 173 votes and his rival, Jamaat-e-Islami's Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, got 160 votes as per unofficial results.
The voting for Karachi's new mayor started earlier in the day with elected members of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) City Council taking part in the process.
Following the announcement of unofficial mayoral results, clashes erupted between workers of JI and PPP outside the Arts Council of Pakistan.
According to Express News , the situation outside the premises remained extremely tense. However, the verbal altercation turned into clashes as the results were announced.
The workers of both parties pelted stones at each other, on which the police and Rangers took action to stop the clashes. The law enforcers detained several workers for pelting stones.
'Govt abducted PTI member'
On the other hand, JI cried foul and alleged that the Sindh government has abducted 29 PTI members who were supposed to vote for Rehman in the election.
The party asked the ECP to declare the polls "null and void" and also announce a new schedule for the polls.
Bilawal says heavy responsibilities on Wahab’s shoulders
PPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari congratulated Wahab on securing the seat of Karachi’s mayor and said all elected representatives of PPP, including Wahab and Salman Abdullah Murad, now have heavy responsibilities on their shoulders.The foreign minister added that this success is the result of the long struggle and sacrifices of the people of Karachi, adding that the politics of hatred and division in the economic hub of the country has reached its logical end.
“Democracy is the best revenge,” reiterated the PPP chairman.
Bilawal also said that Karachi will now become the cradle of development, peace and brotherhood, adding that the local government problems of every street, neighborhood and area of the city will be solved without discrimination.
Zardari congratulates elected members
PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari congratulated Wahab and all mayors and deputy mayors of Sindh.
“The success of elected local representatives is the result of workers' hard work,” he added.
The PPP co-chairperson directed all elected members to keep the doors of their offices open for the public. – The Express Tribune
Courtesy The Express Tribune
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