ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has emphasized the need for defusing the tense environment surrounding the conduct of local government elections scheduled to be held in Karachi and Hyderabad on Sunday (today).
“Differences amongst the political parties over the conduct of the local government elections have assumed a worrying situation and the situation warrants sagacious approach to avert any tension.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, the interior minister expressed concerns over the circumstances under which Karachi and Hyderabad LGs elections were being held, warning that some miscreants can take advantage of the situation and the law and order situation may arise.
He said that the opposition among political parties is concerning, as two parties are in favour of holding LG polls and two are against it. There are chances of clashes between political parties on the issue of LG polls and the terrorist can benefit from this uncertain situation.
Rana Sanaullah urged all the political parties to resolve the issue with reconciliation and dialogue. The election commission of Pakistan and the Judiciary should take notice of the current crisis.
Earlier on Saturday, the Sindh government suggested the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to postpone the LG polls in Karachi and Hyderabad amid security threats.
The Sindh government has advised the ECP to postpone elections in eight out of total 17 districts; 7 districts of Karachi and one district of Hyderabad. It is pertinent to mention here that after MQM-P’s demand, the Sindh government announced postponement of the Karachi and Hyderabad LG polls.
However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected the provincial government’s notification to postpone polls and ruled that the local bodies elections will be held as per schedule on January 15. Rejecting Sindh government notification and request, the ECP has directed Interior Ministry to ensure the deployment of Rangers and Army on highly sensitive polling stations in Karachi and Hyderabad.
