KARACHI: In an interesting political development for Karachi
politics hitherto dominated by the Altaf-led Muttahida Qaumi Movement,
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Pak Sarzameen
Party (PSP) chief Mustafa Kamal talked over the phone on Thursday and
agreed to meet soon for a detailed discussion.
During
the telephonic conversation, according to PTI central leader Dr Arif
Alvi, the two leaders exchanged views on the evolving political scenario
in the country with particular reference to the emerging situation in
Karachi
The contact between the PTI and PSP chiefs,
according to sources, was the outcome of backdoor contacts between
leaders of the two parties.
In the prevailing political
situation in Karachi where the Muttahida Qaumi Movement appears to be no
more a force like it had been for the past 30 years, some political
parties seem to be interested in filling the assumed political vacuum.
The
PTI — which performed well in the 2013 general elections by winning one
National Assembly and three provincial assembly seats, besides eceiving
a good number of votes from other constituencies of the city — is among
front runners desiring a firm hold on the metropolis. Having its eye on
the next general elections, the PTI could enter into an electoral
alliance with the PSP.
The Pakistan Peoples Party and
the Jamaat-i-Islam, which had enjoyed reasonable support in Karachi in
the past, are now giving much attention to the city.
According
to political analysts, some powerful quarters have been active behind
closed doors for some time to bring likeminded parties in Karachi —
without the PPP, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and MQM — to come close to
form a joint electoral alliance.
Also on Thursday, the
PTI chief addressed students of Iqra University, North Karachi. He
stressed the need for paying due attention to the youth of the country,
saying that they could make Pakistan a great country.
He
advised students to focus on their education and take advantage of
available opportunities. He urged them to have big dreams and follow in
the footsteps of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Mr Khan said the day
was not far away when Pakistan would be included in the list of the
world’s great countries.
