Karachi: Workers of rival factions fight during PS-115 by-polls

Polling has been underway for by-elections in Sindh Assembly constituency PS-115 and National Assembly constituency NA-245 in Karachi.

The workers of MQM and Haqeeqi during a tense stand off in Lines Area after exchange of slogans against each other engaged in scuffles near the polling station. At least three persons were injured during the fighting between the supporters of the rival candidates. The law enforcement agencies rushed to the tense scene and arrested five persons.

The women workers of the rival political groups were also engaged in fighting at Jutland Line-II amid tensions.

The Police and Rangers contingents rushed to the tense polling stations to control the situation.

Polling began at 8:00 a.m in the morning will continue till 5:00 p.m without any break.

According to ARY News, the voters turnover in both constituencies remained very low at most of the polling stations till the afternoon.

The two assembly seats fell vacant after resignations of MQM’s Rehan Hashmi and Arshad Vohra who were elected in recently held local councils elections in Karachi.

NA-245 in Karachi’s district central and PS-115 in district east have been considered as strongholds of MQM. The party’s Rehan Hashmi had won the election in NA-245 by bagging 115,776 votes in the general elections in 2013. PTI candidate Riaz Hyder was runner up with 54,937 votes, while Jamat Islami’s Dr Mairajul Huda was distant third with 22, 452 votes.

MQM’s Dr. Arshad Vohra had bagged the provincial seat PS-115 with 55,804 votes in previous election. PTI rival Hamza Nafees was runner up in the polls with 18,422 votes.