KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan on Saturday approached Sindh High Court (SHC) seeking to delay local bodies elections in Sindh, citing necessary legal amendments in relevant laws. The Jamat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had challenged delay in LG polls across Sindh.
The move by MQM came just a day after Sindh cabinet okayed proposal to delay LG polls in Karachi by 90 more days. This was the 4th time that the local bodies elections were put off in the Metropolis.
Also read: Sindh cabinet okays postponing LG polls in Karachi by 90 days
During previous hearing, the Chief Justice of Sindh High Court had expressed his annoyance for not conducting local body elections in the province, and summoned the provincial election commissioner, IG Sindh, and Chief Secretary Sindh to appear in person in the case of a delay in local government (LG) polls in Karachi. A two-judge bench ordered the election commissioner, IG Sindh and chief secretary to appear before the court on November 14 and issued a written order in this regard.
In its application, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement took the plea that it was imperative to take into consideration all the legal complications before holding local government polls, and that without proper legislation, local bodies institutions couldn’t get autonomy they need to deliver to the masses.
Talking to media after filing the application in Sindh High Court, former Mayor of Karachi and MQM leader Waseem Akhtar said “we want the elections to be held as soon as possible, but as we see, the country’s atmosphere is filled with hatred everywhere,”
It is pertinent to mention here that MQM had opted to ditch PTI-led coalition government and align itself with the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition set up after April 9 vote of no-trust move which ousted Imran Khan’s government. Since then, MQM hasn’t had any significant show at the political spectrum and even lost at NA seats in Karachi by-elections.
Also read: MQM-P leaders stopped from attending missing party workers’ funeral
Referring to recent flood, Waseem Akhtar said how could elections take place in a situation when many polling stations were still submerged in accumulated water.
Also read: MQM blasts Imran Khan for being anti-establishment, accuses him of crossing Red Line
He said that the local bodies institutions should be empowered before election, and that there was no hurry. “We want elections to be conducted in a better way so that the incoming mayor can do something tangible.” he added.
