At least 12 people have been killed and 16 others injured in clashes between rival groups during local body elections in Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces as Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pak
At least 12 people have been killed and 16 others injured in clashes between rival groups during local body elections in Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces as Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) swept the first phase of the polls in both the provinces.
Clashes occurred in various parts of the two provinces where polling was held in 20 districts in the first stage of the three-phase polls. “The armed clash took place in Daraza Sharif Union Council in Khairpur,” police officer Pir Muhammad Shah said.
The clash took place between two groups supporting the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) and they belonged to the Junejo tribe.
He said while 12 people were killed in the armed clashes around 16 were also injured and taken to hospitals.
The first phase of the polls was held in 12 districts of Punjab and eight of Sindh. According to unofficial results for 2112 seats out of 2696 in the Punjab, the PML-N led with 956 seats while Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf grabbed 232. The PPP bagged 38.
In Sindh, 1070 seats were contested and unofficial results for 770 are out. The PPP led the way with 564 seats followed by PML (Functional) with 51, independent candidates 130 and other parties grabbed 25 seats. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazal) secured 9, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) bagged 4, and PTI grabbed 3, while the PML-N got 3 seats in the province. On Sunday, PTI chief Imran Khan summoned report on party’s defeat in first phase of LB polls in Punjab. Imran Khan has inquired the reasons of the LB poll results that were contrary to the expectations, said a party leader. Mr Khan has asked the party workers about the electoral irregularities and how the administrative machinery affected the polls. Besides this PTI chief has also questioned that to what extent decisions regarding party tickets were effective. The party will have a detailed review of the results and reports and will later announce the next course of action.
