KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said on Sunday that police and the Rangers would supervise the by-election in NA-246 scheduled to be held on April 23.

In a statement, the chief minister said there was no need to call out the army for the purpose, adding that police and the Rangers had already proved effective in discharging security duty by restoring peace in the city.

A CM House spokesman said Mr Shah issued the statement in response to a demand of PTI candidate Imran Ismail for deployment of the army for the by-election.

Know more: PTI calls for army deployment in NA-246 until polling day

Meanwhile, Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Siddiqui held a meeting with Mr Ismail and MQM candidate Kanwar Naveed Jamil and urged them to abide by the Election Commission’s code of conduct.

Additional IG Ghulam Quadir Thebo, PTI leader Arif Alvi and officials concerned attended the meeting.

The meeting was called to review the law and order situation in the wake of Saturday’s Karimabad incident.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting, the commissioner said all parties and independent candidates had been warned that in case of violation of the code of conduct action would be taken without discrimination.

In reply to a question, he said that no party would be allowed to take out an election rally or hold a public meeting without permission. The administration had been told to make adequate security arrangements for a rally and public meeting, he added.

Answering another question, Mr Siddiqui said that the issue of granting permission to the PTI to hold its public meeting at the Jinnah Ground was under consideration.

The additional IG said all efforts were being made to hold the by-election in a peaceful atmosphere.

Earlier, the PTI candidate addressed a press conference in Federal B Area and called for handing over the constituency to the army because PTI workers were not being allowed by supporters of his opponent to carry out door-to-door election campaign.

He accused MQM candidate Kanwar Jameel of victimising PTI workers.

Mr Ismail accused the administration and police of siding with the MQM because they had released the suspect involved in an attack on the PTI’s election camp. “We have demanded deployment of the army because we have no trust in police and the administration.”

In reply to a question, he said instead of discharging its duty the administration was arranging meetings between the PTI and MQM for a handshake. “It is the responsibility of the government and the administration to provide security to PTI leaders and workers. We have not violated the code of conduct, but the MQM is trying to sabotage our election campaign,” he said.

Mr Ismail said PTI Chairman Imran Khan would be visiting Karachi according to the party’s programme and the public meeting would be held at the Jinnah Ground on April 19.

MQM candidate Kanwar Naveed Jamil advised the PTI to avoid issuing provocative, unethical and controversial statements against the MQM leadership and carry out its rallies peacefully.

“We have no objection if the PTI contests from the constituency because it is the right of every party to fight elections as per rules,” he said.

He said the MQM had no objection if police, the Rangers or the army discharged security responsibilities.

Jamaat-i-Islami candidate Rashid Naseem said on Sunday that his party believed in the politics of tolerance and serving the humanity.

Talking to reporters after inauguration of his election office in Hussainabad, he said that real representatives of people could be elected only through a fair, free and transparent election.

He recalled that in the past JI leaders Prof Ghafoor Ahmed and Muzaffar Hashmi had been elected from this constituency.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2015

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