ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry has informed the Sindh government that it is ready to assign the responsibility of security for the coming by-election for Karachi’s National Assembly seat NA-246 to the Rangers.

Interior Secretary Shahid Khan got in touch with the provincial government on Saturday to make the offer on the directive of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Read: NA-246: PTI submits application for deployment of Rangers on polling day

The minister had said earlier that every political party, including the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), had the right to hold a rally in Karachi. He asked the ministry to contact the Sindh chief secretary and the inspector general of police to ensure security at PTI’s rallies.

Chaudhry Nisar said that if the Election Commission deemed it appropriate, the Sindh Rangers could be asked to ensure peaceful holding of the election.

Sindh govt contacted about situation in NA-246, Karachi

He said what was happening with the PTI’s rallies in Karachi was against democratic norms and if the situation with regard to the by-election remained the same, the Rangers would be asked to provide security at the party’s public meetings, with the permission of the ECP.

Also read: Nihari turned sour for PTI's Imran Ismail

The seat had fallen vacant after Nabil Gabol of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) quit the party and resigned from the National Assembly.

The constituency, known as a stronghold of the MQM, is going through a flurry of political activities.

However, the political activity has been marred by violence in recent days which saw an attack on PTI candidate Imran Ismail’s car and scuffles between workers of both parties.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2015

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