MQM's imprisoned Akhtar elected Karachi mayor

Talking to media alongside his vice mayor Arshad Vohra, Akhtar praised and sought support from law enforcement agencies especially Rangers to bring peace and prosperity to Karachi.

“I will need guidance from IG Sindh and DG Rangers to bring peace,” said Akhtar.

The MQM leader claimed that people of Karachi have trusted him with this duty and he will request the government to allow him to continue his official duties from his jail.

Waseem Akhtar, PPP’s Ikramullah Waqasi and independent candidates Muhammad Rafique Khan and Arshad Hassan were competing against each other for Karachi mayor slot.

The Election Commission had written a letter to jail authorities to present MQM’s mayor nominee Waseem Akhtar – a former MP who has been held for over a month at Karachi central prison – for casting his vote in the elections.

For Karachi deputy mayor seats, a tight struggle was expected between MQM’s Arshad Vohra and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s Amanullah Afridi while an independent candidate Naveed Javed was also trying his fate.

Musharraf should be tried over May 12

About the May 12 case against him, he dared the government to prosecute then military ruler General Pervez Musharraf and invoke Article 6 (treason) against Musharraf.

Karachi witnessed massive violence on May 12, 2007 upon the arrival of then chief justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in the metropolis, during which several people including a majority of political activists were killed in armed clashes.

MQM has also time and again claimed to have its 14 workers killed in the May 12 incident.