KARACHI: The stage is all set for the most-anticipated political contest in Pakistan's commercial hub, which some analysts say could give a new direction to the city's politics. By-election in NA-246 will also be instrumental in deciding the dynamics of an ongoing operation in the metropolis.

While reviewing the security situation of the city, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, keeping in view the difficulties of Karachi's populace, directed the home secretary to withdraw a ban on pillion ridding from other districts, keeping it imposed only in the district where the by-election is to be held.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui said all political parties taking part in the by-poll have assured maintenance of peace on and after polling day.

He said this after holding a meeting with Additional IG Karachi Ghulam Qadir Thebo, Deputy Commissioner Central Afzal Zaidi, Brig Khurram Shehzad, regional officer Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), deputy regional officer ECP, administrator district municipal corporation Central and DIG West.

“This by-election carries paramount importance, even the world media has shown interest in it,” said the commissioner.

Also read: Karachi's NA-246 by-poll: A three-way contest

He said the allegation of ghost polling stations in the constituency had proven to be false after investigation by the ECP team, which should have been made public. He further said voters whose NICs had expired, or were in the renewal process, should have been given leniency to vote on the basis of their passports.

Director General (DG) Sindh Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar visited NA-246 to review security arrangements for the by-election. During his visit to different areas of the constituency, Maj Gen Akbar directed Rangers personnel to ensure foolproof security measures at polling stations.

He was briefed by Rangers personnel about security arrangements, following which he expressed satisfaction. Later, he visited the polling station at Shaifabad's school and reviewed operation of CCTV cameras, paramilitary deployment and the control room.

There are over a dozen candidates in the run for the NA-246 by-election, but the three central candidates have been fielded by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Jamaat-i-Islami.

Interestingly, all three key candidates contesting the April 23 by-election on a National Assembly seat (NA-246) in Karachi’s Azizabad area are not residents of, nor registered voters, of the constituency.

Under strict security arrangements, Rangers personnel would be placed inside and outside polling stations to maintain law and order.