KARACHI: In an interesting political development for Karachi politics hitherto dominated by the Altaf-led Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chief Mustafa Kamal talked over the phone on Thursday and agreed to meet soon for a detailed discussion.

During the telephonic conversation, according to PTI central leader Dr Arif Alvi, the two leaders exchanged views on the evolving political scenario in the country with particular reference to the emerging situation in Karachi

The contact between the PTI and PSP chiefs, according to sources, was the outcome of backdoor contacts between leaders of the two parties.

In the prevailing political situation in Karachi where the Muttahida Qaumi Movement appears to be no more a force like it had been for the past 30 years, some political parties seem to be interested in filling the assumed political vacuum.

The PTI — which performed well in the 2013 general elections by winning one National Assembly and three provincial assembly seats, besides eceiving a good number of votes from other constituencies of the city — is among front runners desiring a firm hold on the metropolis. Having its eye on the next general elections, the PTI could enter into an electoral alliance with the PSP.

The Pakistan Peoples Party and the Jamaat-i-Islam, which had enjoyed reasonable support in Karachi in the past, are now giving much attention to the city.

According to political analysts, some powerful quarters have been active behind closed doors for some time to bring likeminded parties in Karachi — without the PPP, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and MQM — to come close to form a joint electoral alliance.

Also on Thursday, the PTI chief addressed students of Iqra University, North Karachi. He stressed the need for paying due attention to the youth of the country, saying that they could make Pakistan a great country.

He advised students to focus on their education and take advantage of available opportunities. He urged them to have big dreams and follow in the footsteps of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Mr Khan said the day was not far away when Pakistan would be included in the list of the world’s great countries.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2017