KARACHI: Former member of the National Assembly Nabeel Gabol said on Saturday he had not yet made up his mind about joining any party though he was in contact with ‘senior leaders’ of a couple of political organisations.

He feared violence in the run-up to the by-poll in NA-246 on April 23. The seat fell vacant after he resigned from the National Assembly in February this year, citing as the reason differences with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s policies.

During a visit to Lyari in an apparent move to repair his political image in his ancestral area which had suffered a dent after his tumultuous but brief stint as an MQM leader, Mr Gabol confessed it was a blunder to join the MQM and contest election for a National Assembly seat on its ticket.

It was high time to review old mistakes and take new decisions with the consent of Lyariites. “I’ll not join any party without the consent of Lyari people,” he told reporters during his visit to Lyari General Hospital where he was greeted with slogans and worn garlands.

“I ask Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to get rid of bad elements in the party. These elements have become ministers on the basis of their connections with gangsters and criminals who neither represent PPP nor people of Lyari,” he said.

About upcoming by-polls for NA-246 in the MQM stronghold, Mr Gabol did not sound optimistic that the polls would be held in a free and fair manner and in a peaceful environment because no political party had been allowed to canvass for votes in the constituency.

He said: “There is complete vandalism. I’ve its firsthand knowledge because I’ve contested from that area and I know how one contests polls there. That’s why I suggest deployment of Pakistan army in and outside polling stations. Otherwise, one can only wish for fair and free polls.”

Once an important leader of the PPP, Mr Gabol joined MQM before May 2013 general election and was elected MNA on the party’s ticket from NA-246 constituency. But in February 2015 he tendered resignation from the National Assembly, citing as reason differences with party policies.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2015

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