ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday received a briefing on the report of the Sindh government to conduct local government (LG) elections in Karachi.
The meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja was informed that as per the report, the provincial government said that the police strength was insufficient to hold LG elections, while the deployment of police from other districts was also not possible.
The report further said that deployment of police personnel was also necessary for the security of Covid-19 vaccination staff and for other international events like seminars or conferences, therefore, holding of peaceful local government was not possible.
The report also stated that an international defence expo/seminar will be held in Karachi, in Expo Centre, from November 15-18, and a copy of the event had been sent to the ECP.
Moreover, the Director General Export Promotion Organization had written a letter to the Ministry of Defence that provision of security for two events at the same time will be very difficult for law enforcement organizations.
The commission also reviewed the letter of Jamaat-e-Islami for holding LG elections in Karachi, immediately, and decided to fix the case for hearing on November 9 to decide the date of LG polls in Karachi.
It was also decided to issue notices to the Secretary of Interior, Chief Secretary and IG Sindh.
The commission also decided to invite Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamat-e-Islami to present the view point of their respective parties so that the date of holding LG elections in all districts of Karachi can be decided after listening all stakeholders.