Imprisoned MQM's leader Waseem Akhtar wins Karachi's mayoral election

Karachi, Aug. 24 (ANI): The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) imprisoned leader Waseem Akhtar on Wednesday won the Karachi's mayoral election. MQM leader Arshad Vohra was elected as Deputy Mayor Karachi, reports the Express Tribune. Speaking to media after the mayoral election, Akhtar said, "I congratulate the people of Karachi for the victory today. This is Karachi's victory given the tough times we have been facing." Being imprisoned, Akhtar said he would request Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to either give him an office at the Central Jail or pass a law so that he can exercise his mayoral duties. He said that he alone would not be running the city affairs but will take onboard other parties and law enforcers as well. "We are not alone. We are with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami National Party, Jamat-e-Islami and together we will serve this city," he added. On resolving the long-standing issues of the country's economic hub, he said he will need the guidance of Sindh's Inspector General of Police A.D. Khuwaja and Director General- Rangers Major-General Bilal Akbar. Meanwhile, Akhtar's lawyer Mahfooz Yar Khan said the former run the teeming metropolis via "video link" from his prison cell. Akhtar was arrested last month on suspicion of aiding alleged militants to cast his vote in the final round of elections that has his party in an unassailable lead. Both Akhtar and Vohra had a strong position in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) council which comprises of 320 seats. (ANI)