KARACHI: A semblance of peace amid elaborate security and election arrangements, which welcomed the constituents of NA-246 as they came out to vote in the by-election on Thursday, was marred by violence when a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf camp was attacked and its flags were burnt.

While voting hours remained largely peaceful with reports of a face-off between rival party workers at a few points, the violent episode in the evening was witnessed only after polling ended.

The PTI camp at the Karimabad intersection was attacked and law-enforcers were pelted with stones, causing the police to use teargas shells and baton-charge to disperse the youngsters who were described as ‘area residents’ by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

The contesting parties and voters earlier termed the by-poll ‘most fair and free’ in the recent history of Karachi. While the polling activity remained dull in the first couple of hours of the scheduled time, it gained momentum later under strict check by the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, soldiers deployed in and outside the polling stations along with policemen.

“My voting process took more than an hour despite the fact that the queue was not so long when I joined it,” said a voter, Abdul Waheed, outside the Government Girls Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali School in Azizabad. “My ID card was checked twice or thrice by Rangers officials and finally by the polling staff. Last time it took me only 30 to 40 minutes. This time security arrangements are at their best mainly due to the Rangers but it is not understandable why the process has been made hectic in such a good polling atmosphere.”

The Rangers patrol teams were seen frequently taking round of the constituency even entering its narrow streets and service lanes, but roads were blocked by the paramilitary soldiers at times when their convoys were passing through the area.

Commercial activity not only in the constituency was completely suspended but markets and shops in the neighbouring areas also were closed or wearing a deserted look.

The turnout increased in the second half of the day with women in large numbers were seen queuing up outside different polling stations but most of them complained of lengthy process.

“This election looks different,” said Sadaf Rahman while carrying a toddler awaiting her turn at Pakland Grammar School in Jauharabad. “The security arrangements are quite effective, which is good, but what is not good is that it’s taking so much time. I know two of my neighbours returned without casting votes as they got exhausted.”

With low turnout, polling remained peaceful during voting hours but the incident at the Karimabad traffic intersection after that scheduled time put a question mark over heavy presence of security personnel in the constituency as they moved only after the damage had been done.

About a dozen of charged youngsters, who were later joined by others, were seen attacking the PTI camp just minutes before sunset, forcing PTI workers to run for safety. The youngsters uprooted the PTI camp, burnt the party flag and tore up some banners and posters.

The police intervened but remained unable to handle the situation as the law-enforcers were pelted with stones by the charged mob. DIG west Feroze Shah said four of his men sustained injuries. The police, he said, was left with no option but to fire teargas shells to retaliate and disperse the violent crowd.

“They [injured policemen] all have been hospitalised,” he said and responded in the affirmative when asked about any arrest after the incident. “Our action is still on and we have arrested 15 workers of the MQM for that violent episode. We have identified others also and efforts are being made for their arrests.”

The PTI said they were MQM workers who attacked its camp and blamed the rival party for threatening its workers living in the constituency for being active in electioneering.

“There is no difference between MQM and Taliban,” said Karachi PTI president Ali Zaidi.

“Both groups are intolerant and operate like mafias. They never accept reality and give no space to opponents. It was the dual face of the MQM, as it first welcomed our candidate in its stronghold and then attacked our camp and workers within two hours.”

Although the MQM denied that the youngsters were its workers and called them residents of the area, senior leaders including Haider Abbas Rizvi and Faisal Sabzwari rushed to the scene in an attempt to bring down the political temperature. “Please don’t lose your patience. Do celebrate your victory, but don’t hurt sentiments of others and stay calm,” MQM chief Altaf Hussain said in a brief statement following the incident.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play