KARACHI: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf will file nomination papers of former prime minister Imran Khan from three Karachi National Assembly seats, which fell vacant after acceptance of resignations of MNAs belonging to the opposition party.

Speaking at a press conference, former federal minister and Sindh chief of the PTI Ali Zaidi said that the nomination papers for the by-elections would be filed before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in Karachi.

The three constituencies are NA-237 in district Malir, NA-239 in district Korangi and NA-246 (Lyari) in district South.

“The by-elections will once again prove the love of Karachi and its people for Imran Khan,” he said. “The PTI will launch an aggressive election campaign and we are very much hopeful that Khan sahib [PTI chairman] would also visit Karachi very soon.”

He accused the Sindh government of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of rigging the first phase of the local government elections in Sindh.

Mr Zaidi warned the ruling party against using government machinery to rig the Aug 28 LG polls in Karachi and Hyderabad.

He also demanded a transparent role of the ECP, which he said “failed” to hold free and fair LG elections in the first phase in 14 districts of Sindh.

He also criticised the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan for staying silent on different issues which it always raised while being in the coalition with the PTI.

He said the population census had always been a key issue of the MQM-P, but it did not say a word when the current government delayed the census process for months. “The people of Karachi are well aware and they will give their verdict in the coming polls,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2022