Karachi: Ruling Pakistan Peoples’ Party in Sindh selected an unelected candidate for post of Karachi mayor and announced Murtaza Wahab, spokesperson for government as party’s nominee for top slot.

Elections for Karachi mayor’s slot are scheduled to be held on June 15, as PPP has become single largest party with 155 members, including reserved seats in 367-strong house.

Currently, no single party has simple majority of 179 votes in house, count that is needed to ascertain who wins coveted seat of the port city’s mayor. As per latest statistics, total number of PPP, PML-N and JUI-F is 175.

On other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has emerged as second largest party with total 130 seats, including reserved seats, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf bagged total 63 seats. Alliance between two parties stands at 193. Apparently, alliance has enough numbers to win coveted seat but PPP has been claiming that “Jiyala” will rule metropolis this time.

Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that no one is pressurised but if someone decides to vote as per their “Conscience” then they will respect their decision.

Besides announcing candidates for mayor and deputy slots, PPP also unveiled list of candidates for positions of chairman and vice-chairman in 13 towns of city. Ruling party in province finalsed name of Salman Abdullah Murad for slot of Karachi Deputy Mayor. PPP leader thanked people of Karachi and Hyderabad for “Trusting us for first time”.

“I have full faith that Shoro and Wahab will be first but not last PPP mayors of our two great cities,” he added. Reacting to his tweet, Wahab said that he has no words to express his gratitude to his party leadership for choosing him as candidate for coveted slot.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 06 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.