Karachi The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has announced Imran Ismail as its candidate in the by-elections for the National Assembly constituency in Karachi, NA 246. PTI central leader Dr Arif Alvi, accompanied by Ismail and Firdous Shamim, made the announcement at a press conference at the party’s media cell on Monday. He demanded that army should be deployed inside and outside polling stations during the elections to prevent rigging and ensure the security of voters. Alvi said the PTI would seek permission to hold a public gathering at the Jinnah Ground in Azizabad on April 19. The PTI leader alleged that his party condemned Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain’s “threat to destabilise the country” and urged the authorities to take notice of the matter. Alvi said the PTI had submitted eight nomination forms for NA-246. He added that the party had nominated Ismail and the other papers had been withdrawn. He said the elections for NA-246 symbolised an end to fear and terrorism in the city. “The PTI’s mandate in the 2013 elections was hijacked and it was defeated through massive rigging,” he added. Alvi said his party did not have any differences with the political wing of the MQM, but no party should run a militant wing. “It has been proven in the Supreme Court that the Pakistan People’s Party, the MQM and the Awami National Party have militant wings in Karachi,” he added. The PTI leader urged the constituents of NA-246 to vote for his party’s candidate without any fear. He also said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the PTI had agreed to form a judicial commission and the pact would be signed within 48 hours after which his party would decide to return to the assemblies. Alvi said the recording of a telephonic conversation between him and PTI chief Imran Khan is doctored. Speaking on the occasion, Ismail said the elections for NA-246 were the beginning of a change. He added the MQM had usurped the rights of Karachi’s citizens for the last 30 years. “We want to rid Karachi of fear and terror,” he added. Firdous Shamim said Altaf Hussain’s speech on Sunday night was against the founders of Pakistan. “Our forefathers had migrated to build Pakistan not to disintegrate it,” she added. She demanded that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and the information ministry should impose a ban on broadcasting the MQM chief’s speeches.
Ismail’s background Born on the January 1, 1966, Imran Ismail is resident of Karachi and owns a juice factory. His father is a member of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He lives in Defence with his wife and two children. He is one of the founding members of the PTI and has also remained active for the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital. Ismail finished his matriculation from the Cantt Public School in Karachi and then joined the Government Commerce College. After that he moved to Italy for a bachelor’s in leather technology degree. Ismail was appointed the president of the party’s interim set-up in Sindh after the previous one led by Zubair Khan was dissolved in 2007.
