KARACHI: City of Lights is all set for the Mayorship race today. Pakistan Peoples’ Party’s Murtaza Wahab and Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman are in neck-to-neck competition for office of Karachi Mayor as other candidates have withdrawn from election race. Both Wahab and Naeem are strong contenders for Mayorship but chances of Murtaza are likely higher to become Karachi’s new Mayor.

According to details, PPP has filed nomination papers of former Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab, while JI fielded its Karachi Chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman for office of Karachi Mayor. PPP’s Najmi Alam has withdrawn his nomination papers for mayor slot while Karam Allah Waqasi and Irshad Shar have also withdrawn from election race for mayor and deputy mayor slot respectively. Meanwhile, PPP’s Salman Abdullah Murad and JI’s Saifuddin Advocate will contest for Karachi Deputy Mayor slot. Day earlier Election Commission of Pakistan issued procedure for Karachi mayor and deputy mayor election scheduled to take place on June 15.

According to Election Commission of Pakistan 366 members of city council will be allowed to enter at 9 am on June 15 and doors of polling station will be closed at 10:30am. Whereas, voting process will not be affected if anyone doesn’t come to cast their vote. Furthermore, Art Council Karachi hall has been suggested as polling station as alternative for election of mayor and deputy mayor in case rain disturbed and block city hall. PPP has 155 members including reserved seats while JI has 130 seats inclusive of reserved seats. PTI’s total number in City Council is 63.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 15 2023

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