KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) demanded Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to complete new delimitation before Local Government (LG) polls in Karachi and Hyderabad scheduled for January 15. Addressing press conference after chairing MQM-P Rabita Committee session, Convenor Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that his political party and ruling Pakistan Peoples' Party signed an agreement to address Sindh issues.

Siddiqui clarified that MQM-P is fully ready for LG polls and its leadership thinks elections are being delayed. He continued that all sides are demanding transparent elections in Pakistan.

He said that PPP central leadership had accepted all demands of MQM-P. He added that it was decided to address issue of flawed delimitation in Sindh as top priority, whereas, Supreme Court had also directed to address objections of MQM-P. Khalid Maqbool said that they held dozens of meetings with ruling PPP for delimitation and Sindh government assured of addressing issue and declared MQM-P demands valid.

He said that it is ECP's responsibility to complete new delimitation before January 15. Siddiqui said that MQM-P is ready to assist authorities for new delimitation.

"Delimitation of Karachi and Hyderabad was not done in right way in past. How can an election be declared transparent when there is no relevancy between constituencies and population? Sindh government and election commission must complete revision of Karachi and Hyderabad delimitation before LG polls." Siddiqui said that they will have no option other than contacting masses if the issue is not resolved before January 15. "For stopping pre-poll rigging, we will take to streets and protest. If this situation remains unchanged, we will decide whether to stay in alliance with incumbent government or choose to contest elections independently."

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 02 2023

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