MM News

KARACHI: Polling for a highly-anticipated Karachi’s NA-245 by-polls has begun on Sunday morning amid tight security. The seat fell vacant after Dr Aamir Liaquat passed away in June.

The polling began at 8:00 am will continue without any break till 5:00 pm.

Strict security plan has been chalked out to maintain law and order on the polling day. ECP has declared majority polling stations highly-sensitive. A total of 263 polling stations have been set up for the by-election.

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Pakistan Peoples Party and Jamiat Uleema-e-Islam have withdrawn their candidates in favor of MQM.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.

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.