KARACHI: Despite clear orders by the Superior judiciary and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Sindh government late last night decided to delay the local government elections in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Dadu, hours after its ally, the “rebranded” MQM-P factions united earlier yesterday, with party’s convener, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui warning that if their reservations regarding the local body polls were not addressed, then they would “fight for rights”.
It may be mentioned here that the second round of LG elections was scheduled to take place on July 24 last year, but the Sindh government excused itself from holding the polls over the lack of security and police presence due to the flooding. Later, the elections were also postponed on August 28, October 23, and later today the announcement was made for January 15.
Talking to media late last night, Sindh Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon said the decision to delay elections was taken after the Sindh government withdrew the notification regarding the delimitations of the constituencies in Karachi as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has reservations over it.
He said “they (MQM-P) are our allies in the federal government and we take the concerns of our allies very seriously.”
Hours later, the Sindh government issued notification, cancelling all previous notifications regarding delimitations of Union Councils (UCs) in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions.
It may also be added here that on Thursday, the Sindh High Court (SHC) rejected a petition filed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) against the upcoming second phase of the local government in Sindh.
The high court issued the ruling while hearing a case regarding the incomplete quorum of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
He, however, added that despite the polls being delayed in the three districts, the elections will go on as scheduled in Tando Allahyar, Badin, Sujawal, Thatta, Tando Muhammad Khan, Matiari, Jamshoro.
Media reports suggested that amid the uncertainty surrounding LG elections in Sindh, the provincial government halted the deployment of police in Karachi and Hyderabad.
