KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Dr Arif Alvi warned the Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Saturday that it could not hold hostage the people’s right to vote and it should learn to coexist with other rival parties.

Speaking to the media while visiting party camps set up for the upcoming by-election on a National Assembly seat (NA-245) in North Nazimabad, he criticised the MQM for “attacking” a PTI camp near the Five Star traffic intersection on Friday night.

He said that the MQM had proved itself an intolerant party but it should learn that the level of awareness among the people had exposed its way of politics.

“Take the example of this constituency [NA-245],” he said. “What has been done with this locality which consists of educated and mannered gentry? The children parks here were illegally allotted in the name of china-cutting and playgrounds were offered to investors to build wedding halls. All this crime was done by the people who claimed to be the representative of this educated urban society.”

He said that the PTI candidate for NA-245, Amjadullah Khan, was known for his honesty and his campaign for the by-election had drawn an enormous response from the people of North Nazimabad.

The “frustration” of the rivals reflected in the recent attack on the camp, he said, adding that the PTI held the Sindh government responsible for free and fair electioneering for every single candidate.

“We have also witnessed the same kind of attitude in other cities of the province where leaders and workers of rival parties were attacked by MQM workers. I condemn that episode as well because democracy gives the right to all individuals and parties to invite people to their manifesto and agenda in a peaceful manner,” he added.

Accompanied by party leaders Ali Zaidi, Haleem Adil Sheikh and candidate Amjadullah, Dr Alvi also participated in a door-to-door campaign for the April 7 election.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2016