اردو
  • PTI, JI chiefs canvass support for LG polls with Karachi rally

    Supporters of PTI and JI pass through a road during election campaign rally in Karachi. PPI Photo Supporters of PTI and JI pass through a road during election campaign rally in Karachi.

    The joint rally by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) in Karachi on Saturday ended before reaching its announced destination of Quaid-i-Azam's mausoleum.

    The rally ended in the Jail Chowrangi area of the metropolis, as PTI and JI did not have permission from the city's administration.

    Earlier in the day, PTI chairman Imran Khan and JI chief Sirajul Haq were leading a joint rally in Karachi to canvass for support in the upcoming local bodies elections in the metropolis.

    Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui however said the political parties do not have the city administration's permission to hold a rally at Quaid-i-Azam's mausoleum.

    "The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should take note of this event and take necessary action against the political parties for holding the rally," said Siddiqui.

    Local body elections in Karachi are scheduled for December 5.

    For the third phase of local body polls, PTI and JI have formed an alliance in Karachi to contest the elections.

    The caravan of supporters from both the parties were moving through Sharah-i-Faisal, and had planned to culminate with a rally at Quaid-i-Azam's mausoleum.

    Imran Khan and Sirajul Haq were both addressing their supporters as the rally moved gradually through the main artery of Karachi.

    Earlier in November, PTI chairman Imran Khan arrived in Sindh on a two-day visit ahead of the second phase of local body polls in the province and toured the areas of Tando Allah Yar, Tando Jam and Umerkot district.

    During the second phase of the polls, PPP gained a majority of seats in Sindh, with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) achieving considerable success in Hyderabad district. The Zulfiqar Mirza-led splinter group also managed to sweep the polls in Badin district, a traditional stronghold of the PPP.

    During the first phase of LG polls, the ruling PML-N had secured a thumping majority by bagging 1,192 posts of UC chairman/vice-chairman, with independents (mostly Leaguers) gaining second position with 1,065 seats.

    The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) could secure only 285 seats, while some upsets were also reported in various areas in 12 districts on Saturday.

    Former ruling parties, PPP and PML-Q, clinched only 47 and 44 UCs, respectively. Jamaat-i-Islami and Dr Tahirul Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek had bagged two seats each.