On Monday, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), currently in power in Sindh, chose Murtaza Wahab, the provincial government’s spokesperson, as their unelected nominee for the position of Karachi’s mayor. Wahab is also set to contest in the upcoming mayoral election in Karachi, scheduled for June 15.
With its 155 members inclusive of reserved seats, the PPP is now the largest party in the 367-member house. However, no party has yet achieved the simple majority of 179 votes required to secure the mayor’s seat in the bustling port city. According to the latest figures, the combined votes of the PPP, PML-N, and JUI-F amount to 175.
Meanwhile, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has emerged as the second-largest party, holding 130 seats, including reserved ones. On the other hand, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has garnered 63 seats. With their alliance accounting for 193 seats, they seem to have the numbers to win the mayoral position. Despite this, the PPP confidently asserts that a “jiyala” will govern the city this time.
Sindh’s Local Government Minister, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, said they would respect any individual’s decision to vote according to their “conscience,” emphasizing that no pressure is applied.
In addition to nominating candidates for the positions of mayor and deputy mayor, the PPP has also announced candidates for the roles of chairman and vice-chairman in 13 of Karachi’s major towns. Salman Abdullah Murad is the party’s choice for the deputy mayor of Karachi.