PTI candidate withdraws in favour of MQM at NA-245, joins MQM

KARACHI: Hours before by-polls at NA-245 and PS-115 began, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf candidate Amjadullah Khan from NA-245 withdrew in favour of Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Amjadullah made the last minute announcement in a press conference at the MQM's Nine-Zero headquarters. 

"With great regret, I have to say that people like me are unable to fit in parties like the PTI," said Amjadullah, flanked by senior MQM leaders. 

He said that class differences between rich and poor were present in the PTI, and that there was a serious lack of discipline in the Karachi chapter of the PTI, prompting him to leave the party. 

Amjadullah added that he faced a lot of problems from the local PTI leaders in preparing for the NA-245 by-poll, and that PTI chairman Imran Khan never contacted him regarding the election campaign.

An emergency press conference expected by the PTI was cancelled after a conflict between its workers erupted.

By-polls in the two constituencies began at 8:00 am amid strict security and will continue till 5:00 pm without any disruption.

The NA-245 constituency includes areas: Nagan Chowrangi, Sakhi Hasan, Five Star, Shadman and barren areas around the Inter Board Office. There  are 409,655 registered voters in the area.

There are 227 polling stations in the area.

By-polls at NA-245 are being conducted in the area after MQM MNA Rehan Hashmi resigned from his seat.

The constituency PS-115 includes areas around Lines Area and New Sindhi Muslim Society.

At PS115 the main contestants are MQM candidate Faisal Rafiq and Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi candidate Jamil Qadri. The seat was left vacant after MQM parliamentarian Arshad Vohra resigned. He has been nominated as deputy mayor by the MQM now.

Over 100,000 voters have been registered in the constituencies. There are 83 polling stations in the area.