PS-117 By Election Allama Sajid Naqvi’s ITP candidate face worst defeat

In an exceptional chain of events, Islami Tahreek e Pakistan’s (ITP) defeat in PS-117 would be narrated as the worst ever in the history of shiites in Pakistan.

According to the list published by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), ITP’s candidate Ali Raza was able to secure only 1081 votes resulting in their surety seized.

It stands as a landmark, for never in the history of elections in Pakistan, shiites have never secured such grave numbers in terms of vote. Recent election of 2013 reflected a heavy shiite turn-out and many a Majlis Wahdat ul Muslimeen (MWM) candidates securing large amount of votes. This unprecedented event either portrays lack of interest of the shia commune or their ignorance as regards elections and parliamentary representation.

It is pertinent to mention here that in larger interest of shia community, MWM had forfeited their candidate, pledging support to ITP. The local shiites in the constituency along with Khoja Jamaat was supporting the party, yet they ended up losing.

Allama Sajid Naqvi’s ITP has to go back to the drawing board now and consider a new game plan should they decide to compete again in any election from here-on.

MQM’s candidate Qamar Abbas won the election with an unparallel vote count.
PS-117 fell vacant when Dr Sagheer Ahmed changed his loyalties from Muttahida Qaumi Movement to Pak Sarzameen Party and resigned from his post.