KARACHI: One person was killed and another injured after clashes broke out between supporters of rival political parties in the southern port city of Karachi, police confirmed on Monday, as electioneering gains momentum with only days left before Pakistan heads to the polls.
Political parties have intensified efforts to mobilize voters through election rallies and public meetings, with national polls scheduled to be held on Feb. 8. Clashes broke out between scores of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) supporters on Sunday night when a PPP rally passed through an election office of the MQM-P in Karachi’s Gulbahar, Nazimabad area.
“One worker was killed because of the clash,” Ghulam Shabbir, station house officer (SHO) of Gulbahar, told Arab News. “No arrests have been made, and no case has been registered yet,” he added.
Shabbir said police were still investigating the case.
Taha Siddiqui, a member of the MQM-P’s decision-making body, identified the deceased as Faraz, a local office-bearer of the party. He cautioned against an escalation in violence following the episode.
Deputy inspector-general of Karachi police west, Asim Qaimkhani, urged all political parties to show restraint.
“We are conducting a detailed inquiry, we will file a case based on merit,” Qaimkhani told reporters. “The incident occurred last night, I urge people not to carry weapons,” he said. “Such incidents only result in losses for both sides, there are no winners. Legal action will be taken where necessary; the process is ongoing.”
The police official said political parties should avoid taking out rallies in front of each other’s offices.
“No political party should act as a militia,” Qaimkhani said. “Anyone attempting to be one should remember the consequences,” he warned.
Shehla Raza, PPP’s information secretary in Karachi, could not be reached for comment. However, addressing a press conference, the senior deputy convener of MQM-Pakistan, Syed Mustafa Kamal, accused PPP supporters of attacking MQM-P activists on Sunday night.
“I demand immediate justice, everyone is identifiable,” Kamal said. “They arrived in vehicles which are identifiable. The police should reach out to the owners of these vehicles, they will lead to the killers.”
Karachi, Pakistan’s commercial hub, which is home to its main port and financial markets, has witnessed political violence and clashes over the years, including street crimes and tit-for-tat shootings.
