Karachi Political Diary 

Mubasher Mir 

 Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's arrival in Pakistan after ending his four-year self-imposed exile was not welcomed by the People's Party, but the reactions of the leaders of the People's Party were different, with an element of resentment on their part. Former President Asif Ali Zardari, who has been very close to Mian Nawaz Sharif, did not express good wishes from his side either. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who before assuming the post of Foreign Minister in the previous government, reached London and met Mian Nawaz Sharif, important messages were exchanged and some promises were also held, he has also kept silent. People's Party is also worried whether they will be able to hold their position in Sindh or not. Right now, the People's Party has complete freedom in many matters. The by-election of Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab was surprising. When the nomination papers of seven candidates against him in the suburbs like UC8 of Malir District, Ibrahim Haidari were rejected and he won unopposed. It is not difficult to guess that after the nomination papers of all the competing candidates were rejected, the Election Commission announced the success of Murtaza Wahab and issued Form 7. Question mark will remain on this decision, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi division has made the by-election of Mayor Karachi a target of criticism. Although the Provincial Government of Sindh provides support, the Election Commission has the responsibility to conduct clean, transparent and free elections. After the alliance between MQM, GDA and JUIF, it is expected that Muslim League-N will also become a part of this alliance. If this happens, it will be difficult for People's Party to maintain its position in Sindh. PMLN has no vote bank in Sindh, but general perception effects can also be useful. If the date of the election is decided, after that the work on the electoral alliance will start with more force and the process of political alignment in Sindh province is also seen to be in the same style. Political parties have not even fielded their candidates for many specific local government seats across Sindh, including Karachi, especially the Trans Gender seats are vacant. Organizational weakness of political parties is also an argument that their membership is not done with the effort with which they conduct rallies, meetings and processions. Political parties should focus on running their secretariats in a better manner so that they can field better candidates in the elections as well as building up members. Members should also be made in the parties so that they can raise their voices for their rights. MQM leader Farooq Sattar has met Miftah Ismail and invited him to join MQM. There is no response from him yet, but in the current political situation, this offer is important for the former finance minister. As much as Miftah Ismail has criticized his previous party, his return is not seen, while forming a new party and joining Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar in it is not an easy matter. The three leaders have also done many programs together, besides Tehreek-e-Insaaf is also not in a position to get offers from there. Miftah Ismail should consider this offer as MQM lacks candidates who have more knowledge and experience on the economy. There are conflicting reports regarding Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tesori, his term in power is being discussed but nothing is final yet, however, he has shown courage and expressed solidarity with the oppressed of Palestine. Candles were lit at Governor House Sindh and prayers were offered for the oppressed people in which people of different religions participated. The initiative of Governor Sindh was appreciated at the public level. Former President Asif Ali Zardari, Senator Ali Gohar Meher met and announced to join the People's Party by dissociating from the GDA. This process of politicians in Pakistan continues and they keep changing parties. It is as if he is not a supporter of any ideology, but it appears that he has left one job and joined another company. For such politicians, politics is the name of gaining interests. They appear to be apparently successful in this process as their assets continue to increase. And they are constantly part of the halls of power in one way or another. Caretaker Interior Minister Sindh and Caretaker Information Minister Balochistan have discussed the process of departure of Afghan refugees in a joint press conference regarding which the deadline set by the government of Pakistan is approaching, although the families of Afghan refugees are returning. are going but their number is very less. Both the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan are in coordination and intend to take action from November 1. It remains to be seen how successful the government is in this regard. Because repatriating families who have settled on a permanent basis is a huge task. The government's position is that it wants to prevent trafficking. By which the blow to the economy can be redressed. Al-Khidmat Organization, a subsidiary organization of Jamaat-e-Islami, has announced to launch major public interest projects in Karachi, including the establishment of pharmacies and an IT university, certainly welcome announcements. Defense Gaza rally was organized by Wahdat al-Muslimin in which many people participated. Essential relief supplies from Pakistan have also started going to Gaza, but the quantity is very low. Even very little aid is reaching there from around the world. It is feared that human tragedy will not arise.