Members of Awami National Party including Bashir Jan arrive to meet with Secretary ECP in Karachi on Friday. – Photo by Online

KARACHI: Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan on Friday met with ten delegations of different political parties including the one of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) over the Supreme Court’s directives for delimitation of constituencies in Karachi, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to reporters after the meetings, Khan said it was difficult to move ahead without consulting all stakeholders on the issue. “Purpose of delimitation is to create harmony among the citizens,” he said.

Khan, after attending a separate meeting of the provincial high authorities on Thursday, had said the ECP has worked out a blueprint to carry out delimitation work in Karachi, as everyone is keen to see law and order so that different communities in the city live in peace and harmony.

After his meeting with the secretary, MQM leader Raza Haroon told media representatives that the process of delimitation of constituencies is given in the constitution. He declared delimitating any particular area as “illegal and unconstitutional.”

Backing Haroon and the MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s Thursday statement, the party’s Rabita Committee (coordination committee) in a statement said, “If the reason behind the act is unrest in Karachi, then, law and order in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is even worse than the metropolis.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Taj Haider and Awami National Party (ANP) leaders Bashir Jan and Shahi Syed have welcomed the decision of the apex court.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Saleem Zia also supported the decision and said only fair and transparent elections can rid Karachi of violence and unrest.

Moreover, the provincial election commission of Sindh has issued a notice of delimiting constituencies in Noshero Feroz as well.

Opinion

Editorial

Missing links
27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

THE deplorable practice of enforced disappearances is an affront to due process and the rule of law. Pakistan has...
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...
Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...