Minor clashes, damage to ballot boxes reported during polling

The general elections in Karachi were held relatively peacefully on Thursday, with minor clashes having been occurred at some polling stations and ballot boxes damaged at some of those designated as highly sensitive.

Election Day began peacefully, with people casting their votes at the polling stations set up in different parts of the city, and the law enforcers deployed for security keeping a watchful eye. The first incident was reported in Malir during the early hours, when unidentified suspects barged into the Pakistan Public School but failed to snatch the ballot papers from the polling staff.

Later, an alleged case of rigging was reported at the Darul Arqam School, where the Pakistan Peoples Party’s NA-244 candidate Abdul Bari caught four private presiding officers who did not have the required official papers.

The assistant returning officer (West) and District West SP Anil Haider rushed to the polling station and handed over the four private presiding officers belonging to a political party to the relevant police officials.

At the Surjani Government Boys Primary School, two groups clashed with each other, while the suspects also attempted to barge into the polling station, but a heavy contingent of police arrived and brought the situation under control.

At the Dastagir Girls School in Azizabad unidentified suspects barged into the polling station and broke the ballot boxes, but they fled after the staff recorded their actions. Law enforcers randomly visited different polling stations during their patrols to counter any untoward situation.

Rangers Sindh Director General Maj Gen Azhar Waqas visited the Civic Centre, Karsaz, Drigh Road, Mazar-e-Quaid, Dawood Chowrangi, Indus Chowrangi, Korangi, Qayyumabad, Nursery, Lasbela, Golimar, the Board Office, North Nazimabad, Sakhi Hassan, Nagan Chowrangi, Sohrab Goth, Gadap, Malir Halt and their adjoining areas to review the security situation. The area sector commanders briefed the DG on the security measures adopted. Maj Gen Waqas conducted a special review of security in the areas adjacent to the most sensitive polling stations.

The quick response teams of the Rangers were ready to deal with any kind of situation, along with the Pakistan Army, the police and other agencies. The rules and regulations issued by the election commission were also complied with.

Strict security arrangements were made in District Korangi, where the highest number of polling stations were designated highly sensitive for the general elections. Voting started in the district with 5,271 officials, including male and female police personnel, deployed for election duty and security.

Of the 725 polling stations in Korangi, 509 were declared highly sensitive and 216 sensitive. Over 420 Quick Response Team officials were also deployed at different places to deal with any emergency situation.

Sindh caretaker home minister Brig. (retd) Haris Nawaz visited the polling stations set up at the command & control centres at the Civic Centre and the DJ College. He reviewed the security situation at the polling stations and the voting process. He also talked to the voters and the presiding officers about the balloting.

The interim minister said that holding elections in a peaceful environment was the top priority of the caretaker government, adding that strict vigilance was ensured outside and in the surroundings of the polling stations.

Moreover, he pointed out, police officials ensured timely response in case of any detected suspicious activities, while special care was taken of female and elderly voters visiting the polling stations.

Five injured

Five people were wounded in separate incidents of firing in Karachi on Thursday. According to details, two people were injured in firing near Jamali Pull off Superhighway. The casualties were shifted to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital for medical treatment, where they were identified as 30-year-old Fahim Ahmed and 45-year-old Tahir.

Police said that the victims were shot in their legs and shoulders, and the incident occurred over resisting a robbery attempt. Separately, 38-year-old Shakil was injured in firing by suspected robbers in the Korangi area. The injured person was taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

In the Sohrab Goth area, one person was severely wounded in firing near Lasi Goth. He was immediately taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH), where he was identified as 25-year-old Badal. Police said that it was a case of an accidental gunshot. In another incident, 62-year-old Ishaq was injured when an unknown gunman fired shots at him in the Surjani Town area. He was shifted to ASH for treatment.