Extremist outfit Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) narrowly lost the Karachi NA-240 by-elections to Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) by only 65 votes, raising concerns that a violent group has the ability to mobilise voters even in a longtime MQM-P stronghold.
Unofficial results had shown the TLP leading over the MQM-P; however, by the end of the night, it became apparent that MQM-P had managed to retain it’s seat, which had become vacant after the party’s MNA Iqbal Ali Muhammad Khan died due to natural causes.
Reports showed that the MQM-P candidate Muhammad Abu Bakr bagged 10,683 votes, followed by TLP’s Shahzada Shahbaz who secured 10,618 votes. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had boycotted the by-election.
The district received a very low voter count, with reports from the Election Commission of Pakistan suggesting that there were 309 polling stations established for 529,855 voters of which only 8.38 percent [43,948] of them voted in the by-elections.
People on social media are quick to point out that TLP’s near victory should not be taken lightly, as the party came very close to winning a seat for its first MNA.
The rise of the #TLP should be alarming for the traditional ethnic, religious & pol forces in #Karachi. The TLP phenomenon will be a factor in the next elections.
The #NA240 bypoll also exposed the #ElectionCommissionOfPakistan. It was a highly mismanaged byelections.
CONT. – 3— Amir Zia (@AmirZia1) June 17, 2022
غور طلب اور پریشان کن بات یہ ہے ٹی ایل پی کا اتنا ووٹ بینک کیسے بنا؟
— Salman Durrani (@DurraniViews) June 16, 2022
Political Alert 🚨: The TLP, an uncalled new sensation in Pakistan politics, created ripple in Karachi yesterday, a move which indicates how our upcoming elections would remain unpredicted plagued with violence and polarised at many fronts.
— Zahid Gishkori (@ZahidGishkori) June 17, 2022
A narrow escape for an MQM candidate to win against TLP, a religious extremist party,in by polls in Karachi.
The violence&TLP securing large number of votes in by polls indicate a dangerous trend& posing a serious challenge for mainstream parties in upcoming LG polls in Karachi.— Owais Tohid (@OwaisTohid) June 17, 2022
Worst reality. A party using Islam as tool to achieve political gains is being given space.
— Sayed Faizan Hassan (@Faizan__Hassan) June 16, 2022
TLP is leading the elections in Karachi. This can be a huge upset for older parties there and an indication of what is about to come in a year
— Mubasher Lucman (@mubasherlucman) June 16, 2022
TLP is likely going to win a NA seat in Karachi. TLP A party that has nothing to say except "sir tan sy juda…sar tan sy juda". What a sad day for the country.
— Distant Maddy (@distantmaddy) June 17, 2022
The TLP has rejected the results and demanded a recount, claiming there had been instances of rigging. Experts and analysts have been theorizing as to why the TLP was able to mobilize such a significant voter base, and the general consensus seems to be the MQM supremo Altaf Husain had given orders to boycott the election.
Spoke with relatives and friends in Karachi's NA-240 constituency and many of them didn't get out to vote because Altaf Hussain announced a boycott. It's one of the reasons TLP came close to defeating the MQM-P.
— Roohan Ahmed (@Roohan_Ahmed) June 16, 2022
Another theory being touted is that Karachi has been home to a significant barelvi vote-bank.
There’s a substantial barelvi vote bank in Karachi. It becomes quite evident during Rabi ul awwal celebrations. The JI/MQM vote bank mainly went to PTI but the other smaller parties lost theirs to TLP probably.
— Basil (@BasilBukhari) June 17, 2022
Karachi used to a confirmed den of JI voters 60s till mid 80s, here and there TI or PPP, however dented by MQM and likes of it, 1988 till date. Never be surprised if TLP wins that NA 240.
— ☀️𝕯𝖗 𝕵𝖚𝖓𝖆𝖎𝖉𝕸𝕬𝖑𝖆𝖒☀️ (@DrJunaidMAlam) June 17, 2022
