The govt of Balochistan has banned public election rallies in Quetta.
Due to security concerns, the Balochistan government banned public rallies and election-related events in Quetta on Sunday.
Jan Achakzai, the information minister for Balochistan, announced a ban on social media site X, claiming a “terror alert” regarding a possible female suicide bomber in Quetta. He urged political gatherings and election sessions to be held indoors, emphasizing the need for caution.
The govt of #Balochistan has implemented a ban on public meetings and election gatherings in Quetta, in response to a threat alert regarding the potential involvement of a female suicide bomber.
All political parties and candidates have been urged to conduct their meetings…
— Jan Achakzai / جان اچکزئی (@Jan_Achakzai) February 3, 2024
Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are seeing an alarming increase in violence, including acts of terrorism and threats against well-known political personalities, as the nation gets closer to the polls on February 8.
Public safety is the top priority, and the Balochistani administration urged all political parties and candidates to emphasize security.
A deadly explosion on Quetta’s Sabzal Road and two separate handgrenade attacks that left fatalities in the cities of Jaffarabad and Turbat are among the recent occurrences in Balochistan.
The attacks deeply concerned the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which requested a report from the inspector general and chief secretary of Balochistan.
Two additional incidents of violence included the throwing of a hand grenade at the PML-N office on Qambrani Road in Quetta and the office of PPP candidate Mir Nooruddin Nowsherwani in Kharan.
Increased security was implemented after the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) received threats against fifteen political personalities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
A sit-in and protest in Khar Bazaar, Bajaur, persisted in the meanwhile in response to the death of National Assembly candidate Rehan Zeb.
Five persons were hurt in an attack on the PPP election office on Sariab Road in Quetta, while PPP candidate Mir Zahoor Buledi’s home in the Kech area was targeted with a hand grenade.
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