KARACHI: Arrangements have been finalized as a highly-anticipated by-polls for NA-245 Karachi of the National Assembly is set to take place on Sunday, August 21. Dr. Aamir Liaquat was elected from this constituency in 2018 general election on PTI ticket bagging 56,615 votes, the seat fell vacant after Dr Aamir passed away in June.
263 polling stations have been set up for 515,000 registered voters in the constituency who will exercise their right on Sunday.
Although, seventeen candidates are in the running but it’s understood that the contest is between PTI and MQM.
Mahmood Molvi, who was a Special Assistant to former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Maritime Affairs, is the PTI candidate.
Moeed Anwar of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) is his main opponent while TLP’s Ahmed Raza and estranged MQM leader Farooq Sattar are also in the mix.
Pakistan Peoples Party and Jamiat Uleema-e-Islam have withdrawn their candidates in favor of MQM.
Some of the major areas of the constituency are Lines Area, Jutt Lines, Ab Cinia Lin, Martin Quarters, PECHS, Tariq Road, Soldier Bazaar, Patel Para, Garden East, New Town, PIB Colony, Jamshed Road, Jahangir Road, Khudad Colony, Lasbella Chowk and Pakistan Quarters.
Strict security plan has been chalked out to maintain law and order on the polling day.
ECP has declared majority polling stations highly-sensitive. The by-polls was scheduled to be held on July 27, however, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postponed it due to torrential rains in the city.
