karachi-pti-protests-online-670
Activists of PTI march during a protest rally against allege rigging at NA-250.— Photo by Online/File

KARACHI: The Sindh government in early hours of Thursday postponed the scheduled May 19 re-polls in some polling stations of Karachi’s NA-250 constituency due to security concerns, DawnNews reported.

In a letter written to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the Sindh government has apologized on failing to conduct the re-polls in the much debated constituency of the metropolis citing serious security concerns.

The Election Commission had announced re-election in some 43 polling stations of a national and two provincial assembly seats from Karachi.

Polling was postponed in the said NA constituency on May 11 due to reports of alleged rigging and absence of electoral staff and material.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had rejected the ECP’s decision on Tuesday and has been staging a protest sit-in outside the commission’s building in Karachi ever since.

The party wants to see re-poll in the whole constituency rather than as they say in only 43 ‘posh’ polling stations.

On the other hand, MQM’s opponents – Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) – are protesting for re-polling across the city.

Meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, in the latest development, has announced to call off their sit-in till the ECP comes to a decision regarding the petition filed by the party on the issue.

Speaking to the party protesters, Dr Farooq Sattar said they will decide the further course of action after the ECP's verdict later on Thursday.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.