Violence mars by-elections in Punjab, Sindh provinces

Islamabad: Pakistan held by-elections on Saturday for six seats of the National Assembly and four seats of regional assemblies of Punjab and Sindh province.

Most of the seats had been vacated by members who quit their parties and joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) of Imran Khan, which did not participate in the by-elections.

Khan on Saturday vowed to bring the people out of the grip of landlords and described the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz [PML-N] as "mafias".

Addressing a rally in Umerkot district of Sindh province, Khan said the days of the landlords "who make people their slaves" were numbered.

He added that the cruel system, where "the poor man is sent to jail while the one who loots the country becomes president", would be put to an end by his party.

Incidents of violence between rival groups resulting in injuries to more than a dozen people were reported from several areas during the day-long voting at around 980 polling stations set up by the election commission. Unofficial results of the by-elections were expected late at night.

With inputs from IANS