Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf leader Imran Ismail demanded that the Election Commission of Pakistan declare results of the by-polls at NA-245 null and void, after their candidate Amjadullah Khan stepped down in favour of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement hours before polling began. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Ismail apologised to PTI workers saying that it was his idea to give a party ticket to Amjadullah. "How could he suddenly find problems with the PTI when he contested the election on the party's ticket?" Ismail alleged that Amjadullah had previously been disturbed by an attack on a PTI election camp. He said that he might have left the party after being pressurised by the MQM.
Hours before polling officially began, Amjadullah made a last minute announcement at a press conference at the MQM's Nine-Zero headquarters. Pakistan People's Party Karachi chief Najmi Alam said that the PTI candidate had withdrawn in favour of MQM for monetary benefits.
Responding to the PPP and PTI allegations MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that Amjadullah had joined their party not because he got money for them, but "their love". Amjadullah, who has now joined the MQM held his second press conference of the day to respond to the allegations against him. "I have joined the MQM of my own will. I have not been bribed. The PPP should refrain from childish politics," he said.