KARACHI: The police on Sunday registered a case following an attack on the office of a PTI-affiliated independent candidate last night in the city’s Azizabad area.
PTI Karachi spokesperson Falak Almas said that the incident occurred at the main office of PTI-affiliated candidate Arsalan Khalid, vying NA-248 in the upcoming general elections.
Last night, the party’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) had also posted a video of the incident. It had alleged that “MQM goons” had attacked its election offices in NA-248 and PS-125
“NA-248 candidate Arsalan Khalid got a head injury and other people present were badly injured and valuables damaged,” the party had said. The video had showed Khalid clutching his head and blood stained his clothes and posters within the election camp torn down.
PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan also held the MQM responsible for the attack. “This cowardly attack proves that MQM has nothing to offer the people of Karachi except violence,” he said.
Tensions rose in Karachi as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) accused the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) of orchestrating attacks on their respective offices. The clashes resulted in injuries to several political workers from both parties.
PTI’s spokesperson laid blame on MQM workers, alleging that the assault was orchestrated by them. The wounded party workers were swiftly transported to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Jinnah Hospital for medical attention. In response, PTI supporters staged a protest at Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk against the incident.
Simultaneously, in the vicinity of Hyderabad Town, within the limits of PS-250 and PS-129, an attack was reported on the Pakistan Peoples Party’s office. Four party workers sustained injuries in this assault. Khawaja Sahil Mansoor claimed that MQM workers were behind the attack. Four PPP workers, injured in the incident, have lodged complaints against the assailants.
Just days earlier, during a rally following an organizational meeting in Karachi, unknown assailants opened fire, injuring two individuals. The incident occurred after Pakistan Peoples Party’s candidate Agha Rafiullah concluded the gathering. Agha Rafiullah remained unharmed during the incident, and the police are currently investigating the case.
Yesterday, a petrol bomb attack, targeting the electoral office of Pakistan People’s Party candidate in constituency PP-162 was reported in the provincial capital of Lahore. Police have initiated an inquiry into the petrol bomb attack. The complainant, Mirza Abbas Khokhar’s son, alleged that unknown individuals threw petrol-filled bottles, setting fire to the office. The assailants reportedly stole valuable items, including 30 chairs and a generator worth around 1.5 million rupees.
These incidents highlight the escalating political tensions and security concerns as the election season intensifies across the country.
