Karachi by-elections: PTI MPA 'attacked and injured during polling'

Karachi: A PTI MPA was attacked and injured during polling in the by-elections on Sunday, party leaders alleged. 

PTI leader Ali Haider Zaidi posted a video on social media showing the party’s Karachi president, MPA Bilal Ghaffar, with a bandaged head.

In the video, Ghaffar alleged he was pushed and then set upon by “10-15 people”, who attacked him with “bricks” in the city’s Malir area by PPP workers.

The PTI MPA further alleged PPP MPA Saleem Baloch was “the first one who attacked” him, saying police present there didn't respond when he called for help. 

Zaidi alleged that retired judge Rana Zaki Shamsi, a member of PTI was with Ghaffar, and he was also physically assaulted a nd attacked. “They fear defeat & are restoring to violence,” he added.

PTI’s Imran Ismail condemned the incident said the PPP were attacking opponents as “they are fearing their defeat”.

PPP goons attacked Karachi President MPA @BilalAGhaffar
He has been taking to the Hosptial with boss and head injuries.
Criminals ruling Sindh! pic.twitter.com/he8YdrC7Kq

— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) October 16, 2022

PPP’s Saeed Ghani, however, rejected the claim, saying Bilal Ghaffar, fearing the certain defeat of Imran Niazi in NA-237, tried to spoil the situation. In a statement, Ghani said “bullying and intimidation are the hallmarks of PTI”.

“Saleem Baloch reached the polling station after receiving information about Bilal Ghaffar’s hooliganism,” Ghani said.

The PPP leader demanded the ECP to immediately take notice of the violence demonstrated by the PTI.

Malir police, in a statement, said Ghaffar sustained an injury during a clash at Ghazi School over a “personal dispute” and was shifted to a nearby hospital.

Police said the investigation is under way.