ISLAMABAD: In pursuance of the Supreme Court’s Nov 28 directives, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday gave assent to delimitation of constituencies in Karachi, DawnNews reported.

The commission has also invited all stakeholders to submit their views in writing within a week.

As many as 13 parties attended a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim.

Delegations of Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) were not present on the occasion.

Reiterating their stance on the issue, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) protested against the decision to delimit constituencies in Karachi only. Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) expressed their ‘reservations.’

Speaking to media representatives after the meeting, deputy convener of MQM’s Rabita Committee Dr Farooq Sattar said the commission wants to push the party to the wall by applying undue pressure on it.

Taj Haider of the PPP expressed reservations for delimiting constituencies in the metropolis only.

All other parties including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) showed their support of the court’s directive.

A statement was also issued at the end of the meeting by the ECP saying that each stakeholder is asked to submit their views in writing accompanied by the maps showing the desired changes within a week.

It may be noticed that except the MQM all parties have agreed in principle with the delimitation. The commission will thereafter proceed with the task, said the statement.