Karachi: An All Parties Conference (APC) with the theme of “Supreme Court verdict and voters’ lists verification” was held at Idara Noor-e-Haq here on Friday. Leaders of different political and religious parties including PML-N, JUI-F, AML, JUI-S, JUP, PTI, Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST) and others attended the conference. During the APC, the demands in shape of resolution was moved by JI leader Muslim Pervez which later approved by all the leaders of political and religious parties. The demands were as under; the APC demanded rectification of voters’ lists according to the pattern of 1998 census.
It was demanded that the SC verdict regarding voters’ verification should be implemented in its true spirit. None of the political workers should be involved during verification of voters’ lists. Verification should be conducted at that time when the head of the family was present. Verification process should be started at once in entire city adding CDs of NADRA data and electoral rolls should be provided. Maps of Circle and Charge should also be provided to the political parties. A copy of said resolution was also provided to Chief Justice of Pakistan.
On the occasion, Ameer JI Karachi Muhammad Hussain Mahenti said that the staff of Election Commission was in pressure of MQM adding JI and all other political and religious parties will protest on Election Commission attitude. He said pre-poll rigging during voters’ verification is being carried out with the stamps of Election Commission and Pakistan Army.
Mahenti suggested the Army to carryout voters’ verification on its own as it was the matter of its prestige. On the occasion, he quoted the clause of SC verdict in which it was stated that “Army and Frontier Constabulary personnel will help and assist the EC staffers during voters’ verification”. “We regretted that the EC is not implemented the SC verdict in its true spirit”, Mahenti added.
He further said it was decided in the meeting held on December 20 in Election Commission Office that voters’ verification and delimitation was to be done in the presence of army and FC personnel, but unfortunately nothing of such thing could be done so far adding EC confirmed proper advertisement of voters’ verification process, but nothing could be done yet.
Ameer JI Karachi has appealed the Chief Justice Supreme Court to take notice of pre-poll rigging during voters’ verification. “If our demands would not be made, then we will protest in front of Election Commission Office”, Mahenti warned.
Naib Ameer JI Karachi Barjees Ahmed said that voters’ verification was continued with pre-poll rigging as no army and FC personnel along with EC employees during the process. “The said false practice would definitely frustrate the people from the present electoral system and government”, he said. He stressed to put all electoral lists on internet. On the occasion, JI Naib Ameer Karachi demanded to impose curfew in the city and complete the verification process in one or two days.
Saleem Zia of PML-N said that all political and religious parties should approach to SC immediately over the said pathetic state of voters’ verification. On the occasion, Zia said the selection of Chief Election Commission was not from Karachi, as he was being pressurized by MQM. “We want correct mandate in Karachi and it will only be done when the SC verdict would be implemented in its true spirit”, Zia added.
Qari Usman of JUI-F said that it was an injustice with the citizens of the city to carry out voters’ verification in the absence of army and FC personnel adding the personality of Chief Election Commissioner is being suspected over present process of voters’ verification. “If the present situation is prevails during voters’ verification, then no difference could be produced between previous and present voters’ lists”, Qari Usman feared.
Matloob Anwar of PST said target killing incidents were once again on the rise, as the process of voters’ verification started in the city. Nusrat Mirza, Khan Amanullah Khan, Hafiz Rehmatullah, Muhammad Afzal Sardar, Mahfooz Yar Khan, Haleem Khan Ghauri and Laeeq Ahmed Khan were also spoken on the occasion.