The by-elections were held to fnt seats across Karachi and other districts of Sindh, and the voting process unfolded with heightened security and a largely peaceful atmosphere
By Ahsan Mughal
KARACHI: The by-elections for local government seats across 18 districts of Sindh, including Karachi, have seen the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) consolidating its influence, securing several key victories. In Hyderabad, the PPP demonstrated its continued strength with a decisive win in UC-125, reinforcing its position as a dominant political force in the region. However, the race for local leadership positions was not without competition, as seen in UC-51 of Hyderabad.
There, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidate, Adnan Rasheed, triumphed with 1,086 votes to secure the Vice Chairman seat, while PPP’s Farhan Rajput came in second with 899 votes. Meanwhile, in Karachi, which remains a focal point of political activity, early results from Gulberg Town UC-5 show Jamaat-e-Islami taking a lead in the race for Vice Chairman, a significant development as the city remains a battleground for political influence. The contest for councillor positions in Karachi also saw PPP’s Sameer Abbasi claim victory in Korangi Creek Ward 4.
Notably, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, a prominent PPP figure, participated in the voting process, underscoring the party’s active engagement in the elections. The by-elections were held to fill vacant local government seats across Karachi and other districts of Sindh, and the voting process unfolded with heightened security and a largely peaceful atmosphere. Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and remained operational until 5 p.m., with 10 vacant seats for Chairman, Vice Chairman, and General Member Ward in Karachi alone.
Sindh Election Commissioner Shreefullah and Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho both expressed their satisfaction with the security arrangements, confirming that the election process in Karachi was conducted smoothly and without significant disruption. Though unofficial results are still being compiled, early indications suggest that the by-elections were marked by efficient security measures and a calm, orderly voting environment. While PPP appears to have strengthened its hold in several districts, the early trends from Karachi, particularly the Jamaat-e-Islami lead in Gulberg, suggest that the political landscape in the city remains dynamic, with competition continuing to intensify.
