PPP's Taj Haider asks ECP to investigate why opposition MPAs are staying at hotels in Karachi.

Byline: Imtiaz Ali

The PPP's Central Election Cell incharge, Taj Haider, has written a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) urging it to "investigate the mysterious behaviour" of some members of the Sindh Assembly, who he said were reportedly staying at private hotels in Karachi.

In the letter dated March 2, Haider referred to media reports that said MPAs belonging to three opposition parties in the province have been moved to private hotels ahead of the Senate elections that are taking place today.

The PTI, MQM-P and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) made arrangements for their provincial lawmakers' to stay at one place in view of their security. They would be going to the Sindh Assembly together to cast their votes in today's election, Dawn reported earlier.

In his letter, Haider quoted reports as saying that PTI had booked 30 rooms at the Pearl Continental Hotel while MQM-P had booked rooms at the Regent Plaza Hotel.

"This unusual behaviour of the MPAs of PTI and MQM residing in hotels despite having accommodation in Karachi raises concerns," he wrote.

The PPP leader called on the ECP to ensure that the MPAs were not "bribed or under any duress" that would stop them from casting votes according to their choice in the Senate elections.

He also asked the Election Commission to investigate who was paying for the MPAs' stay in the hotels.

Meanwhile, polling for 37 seats of the Senate is underway under the supervision of the Election Commission of Pakistan as a total of 78 candidates contest from Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Islamabad.

Complaint against Sindh governor

This is not the first time the PPP has raised concerns regarding the actions of opposition parties in the run-up to the polls for the upper house of parliament.

Last week, Haider had filed a complaint with the ECP against Sindh GoverAnor Imran Ismail over alleAged violation of the code of conduct for the Senate polls.

He had drawn the ECP's attention to reports according to which the governor chaired a meeting of the PTI candidates...