KARACHI, Sept 26: As the general elections are approaching, the political parties are making efforts to convince the people to take part in election activities.

The constituency NA-245 consists of North Nazimabad, all shanty towns in the North Nazimabad, Buffer Zone, some areas of North Karachi, and part of Nazimabad, including Bara Maidan, and Paposh Nagar.

A visit to the area shows that the people do not appear warmed up for actively participating in the political activities. Enthusiasm is lacking even among political activists.

The general public is more concerned over soaring prices, increasing joblessness and lawlessness.

A resident of North Nazimabad said in the previous elections “we used to have dinner almost daily at the area election office and not at home, but this time, either parties don’t have budgets or they don’t want to spend money as there is still uncertainty. Similarly, people are also not interested in spending their time at election offices.”

Even though for the past one week, the pace of canvassing by parties has gained a little bit of momentum, the people are not responding to them in a manner which they did in the past.

The leaders of political parties have started addressing corner meetings in various localities to tell the people about their party manifestoes and to convince them to seek their votes, but attendance remains thin.

The flags and banners of the parties contesting the polls are seen on electric poles along the main roads, streets, and at rooftops of houses and buildings. Some banners were installed on hoardings and neon-signs.

Most of the flags and banners are of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement followed by Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA).

There are small pockets dominated by the PPP, ANP, PML, etc. The flags and banners of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf were also seen at some places.

Almost all blocks of North Nazimabad, some parts of North Karachi, Khuwaja Ajmer Nagri, Shadman Town, KDA Flats and Paposhnagar have an overwhelming majority of MQM supporters .

In blocks D and E, the dwellers appear to have a soft corner for the PPP. The PPP may also secure votes from its supporters residing in KDA Flats.

The shanty towns, including Kausar Niazi Colony, Arafat Town, etc., which are located in front of blocks G, H, L, M, and N, have a mixed population and their apparent inclination is towards the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal. Besides, the banners and posters show that the Tehrik-i-Insaf has also started making its way into the population of Kausar Niazi Colony. However, the MMA may get maximum votes from this locality.

The shanty towns behind Block-J, I, and T, which comprise Nusrat Bhutto Colony, Khalilabad, Usman Ghani and Omar Farooq Colony also have a mixed population. In Khalilabad and Nusrat Bhutto Colony, the ANP has a majority. The other localities in shanty towns appear to be tilted towards the MMA.

Looking into the previous record of the general elections, one realises that of the four contests since 1988, the Haq Parast candidate Kunwar Khalid Yunus secured the highest number of votes in the three elections as the fourth one in 1993 was boycotted by the Muttahida.

Earlier, the NA-245 constituency was NA-186 Karachi Central- I. Its total registered voters in 1997 polls were 2,87,199 and the turn-out was 84,261.

For NA-186 (presently NA-245), seven candidates contested the polls, of them Kunwar Khalid Yunus bagged 63,477 votes. He was followed by Dost Mohammad Faizi of the PML.

In 1993, the MQM boycotted the NA elections and Dost Mohammad Faizi won by grabbing 17,058 votes, of the total 2,64,760 registered votes. The turn-out in 1993 elections was 34,799 (13.14 per cent).

Kunwar Khalid Yunus of Haq Parast Group swept the NA-186 seat by getting 90,497 votes out of a total registered 2,53,255 votes in 1990 general elections.

Four candidates were in the field in 1990 polls. Prof Ghafoor Ahmed of IJI secured 21,254 votes, Syed Naeem Hassani of PDA secured 5,168 votes and Ishratul Abad Khan (independent) got 383 votes. The total registered voters in 1990 polls in NA-186 were 2,53,255, and of them 1,18,291 exercised their right of votes and the turn-out was 46.71 per cent.

Similarly, in 1988, the MQM fielded Kunwar Khalid Yunus, who got elected with 87,919 votes out of a total 2,33,701 registered voters. He was followed by Prof Ghafoor Ahmed of the IJI, who obtained 22,805 votes. Seven candidates contested the polls in 1988 for NA-186. The turn-out in 1988 polls was higher (53.78 per cent) than any other elections till 1997.

The MQM is likely to win this seat with an overwhelming majority as shown by the previous track record of general elections of National Assembly as the MQM-A has again fielded Kunwar Khalid Yunus for the NA-245.

The MMA is like the alliance of Pakistan Islamic Front, formed during the 1993 elections, when the MQM boycotted the national assembly elections. The PIF had fielded its candidate Naimatullah Khan for National Assembly, who bagged 10,344 votes, which shows that the MMA may not secure as much votes as they need to win.

Eight candidates Syed Munawar Hasan, MMA; Hameedullah Khan, PML(N); Kunwar Khalid Yunus, MQM-A; Eng. Capt (Retd) Mohammad Hassan, PPP; Eng Raees Akhtar Qureshi, tractor; Tariq Hussain Siddiqui, bicycle; Qamar Niaz, MQM(H); Mian Ejaz Ahmed Shafi, Crescent are in the field for the October 2002 general elections.

PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY: The NA-245 covers three constituencies of provincial assembly which are PS-98 (part), PS-101 and PS-103.