Karachi: Jamaat-i-Islami’s (JI) Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that he was hopeful PPP, ruling party in Sindh would address reservations about recently held Local Government elections.

After meeting with PPP delegation led by Saeed Ghani Information Minister he said that main issue party had was with obtaining Form 11 and 12 and subsequent “Changing of results”.

“We contacted election commission and also PPP to resolve this matter.” He noted that ECP would hear party’s reservations regarding some UCs on January 23.

“But UCs which are facing recounting issues recounting is legal process but if illegal moves are made during legal process, then it makes whole exercise fake which has happened in this case.”

For his part, Ghani congratulated JI for securing “Good number” of seats during LG polls. He said that PPP had contacted party in an effort to hear their reservations and complaints.

“So lot of things do not fall under government. Despite that, we assured them that if Sindh government can play part in addressing JI’s reservations, then it will do so.” Ghani said that the provincial government would take every possible step to address the grievances of the JI. “From the beginning, we wanted the JI and the PPP to walk together,” he added.

Referring to a possible alliance between the two parties, the Sindh minister said that it would be beneficial for the people in the metropolis. “We want the PPP and the JI to work together for the city,” said Ghani.

Responding to allegations about rigging, the minister said that there were many things that “do not come directly under the government’s control”. Both the parties will continue to cooperate to resolve the issues, the minister added. Taking to Twitter, the JI leader said that the one-point agenda changes in results after the elections were discussed with the PPP delegation headed by Ghani.

“They [PPP] assured that the issues would be rectified,” he added The JI leader said that talks could move forward only if the provincial government takes practical steps

The ECP will hear the JI's plea against rigging and incorrect count in the second phase of the local government (LG) polls in Sindh on January 23, it said in a statement. The JI had filed complaints regarding rigging and incorrect vote count in six union councils of Karachi and demanded action against the district returning officers (DRO) and returning officers (RO) involved.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 20 2023

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