Karachi is the largest and most populous city in Pakistan, and also the hub of its political and economic activities. The city has a diverse and vibrant political landscape, with many parties competing for the support of its citizens. Here are the top five political parties of Karachi, based on their performance in the 2018 general elections.
- Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P): This party emerged from a split in the original MQM, which was founded by Altaf Hussain in 1984 as a representative of the Urdu-speaking community. MQM-P won 16 out of 21 National Assembly seats and 23 out of 44 Provincial Assembly seats in Karachi in 2018, making it the largest party in the city. However, it has faced internal divisions and defections since then, and its popularity has declined.
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI): This party is led by Imran Khan, the current Prime Minister of Pakistan, who rose to fame as a cricket star and a philanthropist. PTI won four National Assembly seats and 14 Provincial Assembly seats in Karachi in 2018, becoming the second largest party in the city. It also formed a coalition government with MQM-P at the federal level. PTI claims to be a party of change and reform, and has focused on improving governance, education, health, and environment in Karachi.
- Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP): This party is led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and former President Asif Ali Zardari. PPP is the ruling party in Sindh province, where Karachi is located, but it has a limited presence in the city itself. It won only one National Assembly seat and nine Provincial Assembly seats in Karachi in 2018. PPP has a loyal base of supporters among the Sindhi-speaking community and the rural areas of Sindh.
- Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP): This party was founded by Mustafa Kamal, a former mayor of Karachi and a former leader of MQM. PSP broke away from MQM in 2016, accusing Altaf Hussain of treason and violence. PSP claims to be a party of peace and development, and aims to unite all ethnic groups in Karachi under one banner. However, it failed to win any National Assembly or Provincial Assembly seat in Karachi in 2018.
- Jamaat-e-Islami (JI): This party is one of the oldest and most influential religious parties in Pakistan, with a strong network of social welfare and educational institutions. JI advocates for an Islamic system of governance and morality, and opposes secularism and liberalism. JI won one National Assembly seat and one Provincial Assembly seat in Karachi in 2018.
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