KARACHI, Oct 10: Post-election tensions and conflict seem to dominate the goings in this port city as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement refuses to recognize the votes polled in the “no-go areas” where its candidates and activists were not allowed to enter and campaign for the elections, said Dr Farooq Sattar, deputy convener of the MQM, at a news conference at Nine-Zero on Thursday afternoon.

He said the Muttahida would decide its future course of action and reserved the right to take legal and other remedial measures.

At least four National and eight provincial assembly constituencies in the city are considered to be in the “no-go areas.” These are NA-252, NA-253, NA-256 and NA-257, and PS-115, 117, 119, 120, 121, 122, 127 and 128.

Dr Sattar accused the establishment of conspiring to undermine the party by abetting the Haqiqi. He claimed that during the 38 days of electioneering the Haqiqi did not allow his partymen to enter the “no-go areas” even for a second. He accused them of harassing and kidnapping Muttahida activists.

He said the Muttahida tried its level best to seek withdrawal of official patronage for the Haqiqi, and to ensure the presence of Muttahida’s polling agents in the “no-go areas,” but to no avail.

He said his party could not send polling agents in Landhi-Korangi, Shah Faisal Colony, Malir, Lines Area, etc. It seemed that the establishment was bent upon ensuring 8-10 seats to the Haqiqi, he added.

Dr Sattar said since the polling in such areas had started late, he demanded of the authorities to extend the voting time by at least three hours.

He, however, made it clear that the polling which took place in the absence of Muttahida’s election agents would not be acceptable. “We will accept only those votes which are cast in the presence of our polling agents,” he said.

Another deputy convener of the MQM, Shoaib Bokhari, also referred to a similar situation in Al-Fatah Colony, Orangi Town, and Liaquatabad Nos 4 and 6.