NA candidate among 10 injured in attack on ‘PTI election office’ in Karachi

By Imtiaz Hussain Abro.

NA candidate among 10 injured in attack on ‘PTI election office’ in Karachi.

Just days ahead of the general elections, Arslan Khalid, an independent candidate supported by PTI in NA-248, along with nine others, sustained injuries in an attack on the party’s election office in Azizabad, Karachi, by unidentified masked individuals.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed at Azizabad Police Station, Khalid mentioned organizing a “Mehfil-e-Milad” on behalf of the former ruling party in Federal B Area’s Azizabad. Around 100 to 200 masked assailants allegedly entered the plot at 12:30 am, assaulting Khalid and his associates with punches, kicks, and batons. Khalid suffered head injuries and was promptly taken to Abbassi Shaheed Hospital for treatment.

While the PTI spokesperson accused Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) of the attack, demanding strict action by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the caretaker Sindh government, PPPP candidate Khawaja Sohail Mansoor, from NA-250, also accused MQM-P of attacking his party’s election offices in areas under NA-250 and PS-129.

Violence during political campaigns, with candidates and voters becoming targets, has been a recurring issue. Earlier in the month, PTI leader Shah Khalid was shot dead in KP’s Swabi district, and another independent candidate, Kaleemullah Khan, was killed in North Waziristan. PML-N’s candidate for NA-258, Aslam Buledi, also sustained injuries in a firing incident in Turbat City.

These incidents of violence coincide with the upcoming February 8 general elections, raising concerns about political turmoil, terrorism, and economic challenges in the country. Notably, Mohsin Dawar, a former member of the National Assembly and leader of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), faced a gun attack on his convoy in Tappi village earlier this month.