Fed, Sindh govts still consulting to postpone Karachi, Hyd LG elections

The local government (LG) elections are scheduled for January 15 in the two big cities of Sindh, Karachi and Hyderabad, but uncertainty is still looming regarding the election process.

Late at night, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Maulana Fazlur Rehman had telephone conversations in which they assured to remove the concerns of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), while the sensitive institutions issued alerts regarding possible terrorist attacks during the LG polls.

The question arises that this report has been issued by sensitive institutions when there is only one day left for the elections.

The MQM-Pakistan hinted at boycotting and resisting the LG polls in Karachi and Hyderabad, citing the constituencies of the Sindh government. Moreover, the MQM-P Rabita Committee summoned the resignations of its MNAs, indicating their separation from the federal government.

According to the sources, last night MQM Pakistan’s coordination committee continued its consultation for separation from the federal government and also asked for the resignation of its MNAs.

Khawaja Izharul Hassan while talking to a private TV channel said that in today’s meeting of MQM, the participants suggested separation from the federal government. He said that the final announcement of separation from the government will be made by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui after consultation.

It should be noted that MQM Pakistan has also postponed the general workers meeting called today and the new date will be announced in 24 hours.

Late at night, MQM convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui along with the delegation met Governor Kamran Tessori. The governor assured that the elections will be transparent and fair. MQM reservations will be removed.

PM and Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s contacts

The threat of leaving the federal government by the MQM-P came to fruition as the coalition government became agitated. PM Shehbaz Sharif made telephone calls late at night to Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori and Asif Ali Zardari, and Maulana Fazl, asking to play a role in removing MQM’s reservations. JUI (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also telephoned Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, assured to clear the reservations.

Meeting chaired by Asif Ali Zardari

On the concerns of MQM on the local body elections, a session was held at Bilawal House Karachi chaired by Asif Ali Zardari. Important decisions will be taken today with the approval of the cabinet members. Sources said that the consultation with MQM regarding the expected decisions has been completed.

MQM reservations

On the other hand, the coordination committee of MQM says that the vote of Muhajir was divided in the constituencies that were made before the local elections.

Letter from Interior Ministry

On the other hand, Secretary Election Commission Umar Hameed received a letter from the Ministry of Interior. According to the letter, GHQ has said that the first tier security is the responsibility of the provincial government. According to the letter, GHQ has already said that deployment at such highly sensitive polling stations is not possible.

The GHQ has asked the Election Commission to identify 500 sensitive polling stations. Rangers can be deployed outside 500 sensitive polling stations.

It should be noted that the Election Commission has declared 8000 polling stations as sensitive and 1000 polling stations as highly sensitive.

Report of sensitive institutions

An important meeting of the sensitive institutions of Karachi was held regarding the serious concerns about local body elections in Sindh. The security agencies informed the Election Commission about the proceedings of the meeting.

Expressing their security concerns, sensitive organizations have requested the Election Commission of Pakistan to postpone the elections.

In the report of the sensitive agencies, the presence of a strong network of the banned organization BLA and TTP in Karachi has been mentioned. The institutions informed the Election Commission about the serious security concerns in the province.

In the report issued by the sensitive institutions, it is said that the terrorists may target the candidates of the Pakistan Peoples Party.

Analysts say that the question arises that if the attacks were to happen, then they should have happened during the election campaign, they did not happen, now the elections are to be held, so why are the elections being postponed by justifying the attacks or one of them? Elections are being postponed to benefit a single party.