An interview with MQM-P leader Javed Hanif

Q. Which party has the most chances of winning the local government (LG) elections in Karachi?  Which parties are likely to secure second, third and fourth position?

Javed Hanfi: According to my assessment, the MQM-P is going to get the greatest number of seats to be fol-lowed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) are likely to come in third and fourth respectively.

Q. Will your party be able to get its candidate elected as the Karachi mayor on its own or will it have to make a political alliance with any other party?

JH: We are likely to be in a position to elect our mayor on our own. However, an alliance is also possible depending on the scenario that emerges after the polls.

Q. What is the most pressing issue Karachi is facing? What will be your priorities if you win the elections?

JH: Karachi is facing multiple problems like scarcity of water, lack of garbage disposal, deteriorating law and order, absence of street lights, traffic jams and broken roads. The new local government will not have abundant resources except for manpower. However, we will try to efficiently use the existing organizations like the KSWB [Karachi Water and Sewerage Board] and the Sindh Solid Waste Manage-ment Board. Instead of launching mega projects, we would go for small projects in order to resolve the perennial issues. We would try to ensure better distribution of water and better management and disposal of the solid waste. Our priority would be to make optimal use of the available resources.  The LGs will get more powers and resources through political struggle, though.

Q. Do you believe that the LG polls can turn violent as many people suggest?

JH: I believe that the LG polls are likely to be held in a peaceful manner without any major incident and that the law and order will prevail

Q. Will the MQM-London’s call for a boycott affect the MQM-P’s chances of success in the polls?

JH: The boycott call could have an impact on the poll results but we are confident of performing well in the elections as a unified party after the merger of three different MQM factions.