KARACHI  -  The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) managed to retain NA-243, the seat won by its chief and Prime Minister Imran Khan in the general elections, as its aspirant Alamgir Khan overcame Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Amir Waliuddin Chishti with a margin of around 20,000 votes whereas the PPP won the provincial assembly constituencies PS-30 and PS-87, as per unofficial results.

As per results of all 216 polling stations of NA-243 (East-II), the PTI’s Alamgir polled 35,727 votes, defeating Chishti of the MQM who only managed to get 15,113 votes. In the general elections held on 25th July this year, Imran had won NA-243 with a lead of around 70,000 votes but he had to vacant this and other three seats across the country after he decided to keep his hometown constituency of Mianwali.

The PPP’s Sajid Jokhio emerged victorious from PS-87 (Malir-I) by getting 25,242 votes followed by the PTI Qadir Bakhsh Gabol who bagged 8,785 votes, as per unofficial results. The election on PS-87 was postponed due to demise of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s candidate in a traffic accident fortnight before the general polls.

The PPP’s Syed Ahmed Raza Shah Jeelani defeated the Grand Democratic Alliance’s Syed Muharram Ali Shah with a lead of over 16,000 votes on PS-30 (Khairpur). According to unofficial results, the PPP aspirant polled 35,750 votes followed by the GDA’s candidate who got 19,450 votes. After the provisional results, the PTI supporters took to streets dancing to the tunes of party songs and chanting slogans in favour of the PM Khan.

Separately, Syed Ali Raza Abidi, who suffered a defeat to Imran and later quit the MQM-P, congratulated Alamgir on his victory.” Congratulations to Alamgir Khan Mehsud of PTI on winning NA-243 Karachi,” Abidi wrote in his message on social media.

Speaking to media after casting his vote earlier in the day, Alamgir said that it was the proud moment for him to contest from the seat vacant by his chairman Imran Khan. “Fixit would enhance their work and good time for the people of Karachi is just around the corner after winning the elections,” he added.

He went on to say that ‘miscreants’ had been winning this constituency through ‘rigging’ during last three decades but it was the golden opportunity for the people to elect their representative. “In the general polls 2002, the Jamaat-e-Islami had won from here. The mandate of the constituents was being stolen ever since the empowerment of Thappa mafia but the people have now become aware and would vote for them,” said Alamgir.

Justifying the performance of federal government, he said that garbage of 60 years cannot be cleaned in 30 days as the entire system has to be reviewed that’s why, the Prime Minister Imran Khan in his first speech asked the people not to be scared as there would be hard time in coming days but followed by good days.

Pakistan People’s Party candidate from PS-87 Sajid Jokhio told media persons said that his party had given identity to Malir. “We have established separate court for Malir and Malir Development Authority and Cadet College. The medical complex is also being constructed in district Mali,” he added.

Taking a jab at the PTI, the PPP aspirant said that those who claimed to bring the change have fooled the masses. Jokhio, who served as the provincial minister after being elected MPA from the same constituency during last tenure, admitted that there is still need to do more works for the betterment of the people.

TLP REJECTS RESULTS

Rejecting the by-poll results, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan said that the government machinery was used to get the desired result. The TLP aspirant from NA-243 Dr Syed Nawazul Huda alleged that the TLP was not given level playing field in the by-polls.

“Our election banners and panaflexes were removed under the garb of election code of conduct whereas the PTI’s candidates had free hand to carry out their election campaign without any hindrance,” he added.

He was of the view that in the by-elections, ‘Ladlay’ candidates were backed by unseen forces just like the July 25 general polls. “The drama of engineered election was held in Karachi and across the country to produce the preferred leadership but the TLP would prove itself to be the biggest hindrance for that,” said Huda.

MUHAMMAD SABIH