KARACHI, 6 July — Will the government hold the local bodies elections afresh in Karachi in view of the low turnout on the polling day of July 2? The question has been haunting the minds of some people here, following demand made by Altaf Hussain, founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Analysts attached considerable importance to the telephone call he had made to Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider on the eve of elections on July 1. This was the first direct contact between Altaf and a key functionary of the military government. Rumors were afloat here that the government was not very happy with the election results, but a confirmation was lacking. An important member of the MQM coordination committee Aftab Sheikh was asked about it. He denied knowledge of understanding between Altaf and the government. “ I also don’t know whether the government will agree to fresh elections” he said.
