A tough fight is expected between the right and left wing ideological parties in middle class populated parts of city on NA-252 and NA-253, but public voting trend is still hinged on resolution of their growing civic, economic and security problems. A stiff contest is expected between the Jamat-e-Islami and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on NA 252 and its Sindh Assembly seats PS 116 and PS 117 falling in the city's middle class areas- Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
MQM took part in last election of February 18, 2008, but JI boycotted the polls. The MQM has not yet started its polls drive for fears of insecurity as a number of blasts hit its offices in parts of the city. But, the JI is campaigning aggressively and even staged a big political rally on Sunday to give upturn to its support ahead of polls, besides holding daily public meetings.
The JI continuously demanding of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to call in army and deploy inside the polling stations on election day to ensure a peaceful electoral process to complete. Besides, the JI says the stationing of army men will help stop any attempts if made to rig the polls. Whereas, despite persistent blast attacks, the MQM is still unwilling to support its arch rivals demand for deployment of military men at polling stations.
Total legal voter in NA 252 are 321,191 and in its provincial assembly constituency of PS 116 are 1,63,968 and in PS 117 are 1,57,223. The constituency is made of a number of parts of different towns of the city. On NA 252, the JI Karachi chief, Muhammad Hussain Mehanati and MQM's Abdul Rasheed Godil are perceived as the front runners. Other aspirants are PTI's Syed Ali Haideri Rizvi and PPP's Syed Asghar Hussain. The MQM is fighting to retain NA 252, which it had won in 2008 elections.
On PS 116, the JI's Nasarullah Shaji, MQM's Mehboob Abdul Razzaq are the main candidates. The PTI's Erum Wahab and PPP's Haris Ali Mithani are the other contestants to show up their political strength. On PS 117, JUI-F's Farooq Syed (backed by 10-party coalition including JI), MQM's Dr Sagheer Ahmed, PPP's Pir Abdul Rasheed, and PTI's Ahsan Jabbar are contesting.
The NA 252 is demarcated by a number of parts of different towns. It includes areas of Jamshed Town: Pak Quarters, Patel Para, Jamshed Quarters, Morton Quarters, Hyderabad Colony, PECHS-II and Soldier Bazaar. Parts of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town are: PIB Colony, Civic Center, Dehli Mercantile Society and C.P. Berar Society block 3 and Essa Nagri. The ethnic formation is diversified leading by Urdu speaking but Sindhi, Baloch, Pashtuns and Punjabis inhabiting small Goths and slums around Gulshan-e-Iqbal by are the other major ethnic groups.
Muslims are the predominant voters of the constituency which Christians follow respectively. Memon and Bohri community along with Punjabi Sodagran of Dehli lead businesses of the city, belonging to the area. Total eligible votes in NA 253 are 5,19,584 while in PS 118 are 2,11,611 and in PS 126 total voters are 3,00,378. Ethnic composition in this constituency is also different with a bigger vote base in slums.
NA 253 is hinged on a number of localities of different town which include Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jamali Colony, Gilani Railway, Shanti Nagar, Katchi Para, Waseem Bagh, Gulshan-e-Iqbal block 1, 2, 3 and 6, Patel Hospital, Quid-e-Azam Society, Metrovill -III block 1 and 2 and Karachi University Staff Colony. It also comprises Gulistan-e-Johar block 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16 and 10 and Pehlwan Goth. Besides, the constituency sprawls to other parts like Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, Abbas Town, Gulzar-e-Hijri scheme 33, Sachal Goth, SPARCO Road, Johar Complex, Bakhtawar Goth, Bhattiabad, Gunjo Town, Ahsanabad, Dhari Bux Goth, of Malir District.
On NA 253, JI's Asadullah Bhutto and MQM's Muhammad Muzzammil Qureshi, PPP's Muhammad Murad Baloch and PTI's Muhammad Ashraf Jabbar Qureshi are running. The MQM will fight to retain the NA 253 seat, which it had won in 2008 polls. On PS 118: the JI's Syed Qutab, MQM's Adnan Ahmed, PPP's Muhammad Iqbal, and PTI's Arsalan Taj are contesting. On PS 126, the JI's Younis Bari, MQM's Faisal Sabzwari, PTI's Saif-ur-Rehman, JUI-F's Abdul Kareem Abid, PML-F's Shahid Soomro and a number of independent candidates are contesting.
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