Karachi, Pakistan – Reporting on the fourth general elections in Pakistan in the past 16 years has been a chaotic and confusing experience. The vibrant city, where colours, music, and ethnicities change from one neighborhood to the next, has always made elections a challenge to understand.
This time around, the situation was no different. As I cast my vote at the neighborhood polling station, I grappled with the decision of whether journalists should participate in the electoral process. Then, as I reported from Pakistan’s largest city, it became clear that not only was Pakistan’s democracy on trial, but so too were the loyalties of the city.
In the 2018 election, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party secured 14 National Assembly seats in Karachi, breaking away voters from the traditionally dominant Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). With the MQM split into multiple factions since 2016, its disenchanted voters found solace in Khan’s party from the affluent southern areas of Karachi all the way to the city’s north.
Even in upscale neighborhoods like Clifton, traditionally aligned with the Pakistan People’s Party, most voters streaming out to cast their ballots were PTI supporters. The sentiments were varied, with some expressing loyalty to the PPP due to its historical significance, while others, like 18-year-old Mohammed Yazdan, voiced his support for Imran Khan and PTI.
The atmosphere in areas like Lyari, a stronghold of the Pakistan People’s Party, was eerily calm, lacking the usual celebratory vibe of elections. Elderly women voters like Rehmat and Kulsom expressed unwavering support for the PPP, while first-time voter Mohammed Yazdan and others voiced skepticism in the ability of politicians to fulfill their promises.
As I observed the voting process in different neighborhoods, I encountered logistical challenges, accessibility issues, and delays that frustrated voters. Despite the challenges, individuals like Rehana Razi, 81, and Zohaib Khan, 36, were determined to exercise their right to vote.
The changing landscape of Karachi’s politics raises questions about the city’s future. As the city’s infrastructure and related issues continue to plague its residents, the question of whether any single party can claim Karachi as its own remains unanswered. Karachi’s voters have clearly evolved, but the city’s longstanding concerns persist.