KARACHI: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Wednesday warned of staging a sit-in outside the Election Commission of Pakistan building in Karachi if the constitutional body failed to announce schedule for the local government elections in the remaining 11 union committees (UCs) in the city within next two days.

Addressing a press conference at Idara Noor-i-Haq, JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said that the local government elections were held on January 15 in the city, but the ECP could not announce till now the schedule for the polls in 11 union councils where the elections were postponed because of demise of candidates.

He said that the ECP announced date for useless by-elections on the seats which recently became vacant after the government accepted resignations by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf lawmakers. He also demanded of the ECP to decide the cases of six union councils, declaring them open-and-shut cases on the basis of form 11 and 12.

He said: “The JI accepts the mandate of the Pakistan Peoples Party on its seats,” and asked PPP to accept his party’s mandate as well.

The JI leader also asked the ECP to arrange oath taking for the elected chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors in union councils.

He said that the ECP held the LG polls despite strong pressure by the PPP and the MQM-P against it, and the JI appreciated its courage. However, he said, the JI reserves the right to protest and launch a democratic and legal battle against the ECP if it goes against the constitution.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...