KARACHI: Different political and religious parties belonging to opposition started a three-day sit-in on Saturday outside the office of the Provincial Election Commission Sindh to demand fair process of voters’ verification under army’s supervision in Karachi.

Announcement of the sit-in was made on Wednesday, when different opposition leaders assailed the election commission for not implementing the Supreme Court’s directives regarding voters verification under army’s supervision and delimitation of constituencies in the metropolis.

Addressing the rally today, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Muhammad Hussain Mehanti thanked the participating political and religious leaders. He said they all have gathered for seeking free and fair elections and peace in Karachi.

Sirajul Haq of JI said all participating parties will also stage a sit-in outside the Parliament house if the SC order is not implemented.

Gulzar Ahmed Soomro of Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party (STPP) said that politicizing of voter verification process would usurp people’s freedom of choice.

Speakers said the sit-in will continue on Sunday and Monday, adding that it would end when the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will ensure presence of army personnel during the process of voter verification.

Leaders and activists belonging to JI, PML-N, PTI, JUI-F, SUP, STPP, Tanzimul Ikhwan, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Sunni Tehrik, Awami Tehreek, JUP and JUI-S participated in the rally including minority leader Michal Jaed.

Meanwhile, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has claimed the ECP was not being allowed to play an effective role in Karachi.

Earlier on Saturday, a meeting of party’s Sindh leaders, chaired by Sharif, had to hold a march to demonstrate against the obstacles that were being created in the way of the election commission’s work in Karachi– DawnNews/PPI