KARACHI: Local Government (LG) elections scheduled for January 15 will not be held in Karachi, Hyderabad and Dadu, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said early Friday.

In press conference, he said that decision was taken after Sindh government withdrew notification regarding delimitations of constituencies in Karachi as Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan has reservations over it.

"MQM-P is our allies in federal government and we take concerns of our allies very seriously," he said, ruling out that decision was taken under duress.

Development comes after Cabinet meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in chair held late-night after MQM-P threatened that it would not allow Local Body polls to take place.

Second round of LG elections was scheduled to take place on July 24 last year, but Sindh government excused itself from holding polls over lack of security and police presence due to flooding. Later, elections were also postponed on August 28, October 23 and later today announcement was made for January 15 making it fourth time.

As "Rebranded" MQM-P factions united earlier, party's convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also warned that if their reservations regarding polls were not addressed, then they would "Fight for our rights".

In presser, later on, Information Minister noted that despite polls being delayed in three districts, elections will go on as scheduled in Tando Allahyar, Badin, Sujawal, Thatta, Tando Muhammad Khan, Matiari, Jamshoro.

"Sindh government is ready to hold polls in these districts and people should gear up for elections. No delay in elections will be made in these districts," Memon said.

Defending decision to not hold polls, there was lack of police personnel to be deployed at polling stations, while Army, through General Headquarters had also excused itself given situation on border and militancy.

In response to a question that similar situation took place during recently postponed Islamabad Local Body polls, Memon said, "Election Commission has its rules of business and so do courts and we will also have to see what they decide."

He defending decision to delay polls two days before it was due said government could not decide since matters were subjudice and institutions were hearing cases regarding it.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 13 2023

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