ISLAMABAD: Clashes and violence between activists of rival political parties in several areas of country left two people dead as millions of Pakistanis went to polls on Wednesday amid tight security.
A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker was killed and two others were injured during a clash with Awami National Party (ANP) supporters in Swabi. PTI and ANP workers came face to face in PK-47, Swabi, after polling began nationwide. The standoff soon turned violent, resulting in the unfortunate incident.
District Police Officer (DPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani confirmed that a PTI worker was killed in the incident. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital, the DPO added. PTI and ANP workers also exchanged fire in Mardan, leaving some people injured. Police, however, later took control of the situation.
A clash erupted between supporters of two independent at a polling station in Batera area of Kohistan. The polling remained halted for the time being. One man was shot dead and another was injured in NA-153 when two political groups clashed in Punjab’s Khanewal district. Several people were injured as workers of the PML-N and PTI came face to face in Rajanpur district. PTI and PML-N activists also clashed in Shahdara area of Lahore. At least one person was injured when PML-N and PTI workers clashed in Rawalpindi’s NA-61 constituency. A clash was also reported between two political groups in Gujranwala. Seven people were injured in clashes between two rival political groups at a women’s polling station in Khipro area of Sindh’s Sanghar district. The dispute started between voters of the PPP and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) at a polling station in Yamin Hingorjo after a woman was stopped from casting the vote on technical grounds. GDA’s Abid Hingorjo who was injured in the clash is said to be in serious condition at a hospital in Hyderabad. Other injured include GDA’s Nazar Hingorjo and Anwar Hingorjo and PPP’s Anwar Marri, Mir Marri, Ali Ahmed and Kanndo Marri. At least two people were injured during an incident of firing at a polling station in Balochistan’s Naseerabad district.
Published in Daily Times, July 26th 2018.