KARACHI: Delegations of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Jamaat-i-Islami called on the Rangers director general on Thursday and discussed issues relating to the Karachi operation and the upcoming local government elections.

Despite having their own media wings, neither the MQM nor the JI issued any official statement regarding the meeting of their respective delegations with Major General Bilal Akbar, the director general of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh.

Representatives of the two parties whom Dawn spoke to preferred to remain tight-lipped about the outcome as well as matters discussed in the meetings.

The MQM said that its delegation was led by its parliamentary party head in the national assembly Dr Farooq Sattar and comprised MNA Kanwar Naveed Jameel and others.

The JI said that its delegation was headed by its Sindh chief Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui.

The only statement issued on Thursday was from a Rangers’ spokesperson, who stated that in the meetings, which were separately held, the participants exchanged views about the matters related to the Karachi operation and security arrangements for the upcoming local government elections.

“The participants also agreed to strengthen peace in Karachi with mutual coordination and focus and carry the operation forward in a better way,” the brief statement added.

The Rangers DG also met Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, according to the spokesman for the paramilitary force.

Polling for the second phase of the local government elections in the Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad and Mirpurkhas divisions will be held on Nov 19.

The third and last phase of the LG elections is for Karachi, where polling will be held on Dec 5.

Except for the Daraza Sharif incident in Khairpur in which over 10 people were killed, the first phase of the LG polls was largely held peacefully in Sukkur and Larkana divisions.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2015

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