QUETTA: At least 24 people were killed and scores injured in twin bomb explosions in Balochistan’s Pishin and Qilla Saifullah districts on Wednesday, raising concerns over security in the lead-up to tomorrow’s elections.

The blast in Pishin targeted the election campaign office of independent candidate Asfandyar Khan Kakar in the Khanozai Tehsil of Pishin district, in PB-47 constituency of Pishin district while the bombing in Qilla Saifullah occurred outside the election office of JUI-F.

The explosion in Pishin claimed the lives of at least 14 people and 10 people people succumbed to the terrorist attack in Qilla Saifullah. 

Khanzai Hospital, close to the site of the explosion, gave the death toll as 14 and said more than two dozen were injured. Deputy Commissioner of Pishin district, Jumma Dad Khan, said that the blast had injured many people. 

Maulana Abdul Wasay, the JUI-F candidate from Qilla Saifullah, was present inside the party’s electoral office at the time of the explosion. 

The attack came as political parties wrapped up their campaigning in the quiet period mandated by electoral rules the day before the election.

Balochistan’s caretaker Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Mir Zubair Khan Jamali took notice of the blast. Expressing regret over the deaths caused by the explosion, the minister sought a report from the deputy commissioner.

Denouncing the attack as an attempt by the “country’s enemies” to create instability, Jamali maintained that the election process would continue.

Security forces cordoned off the areas and emergency services initiated a rescue operation at both attack sites. The injured were shifted to nearby medical facilities.

Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Khan Domki condemned the attacks and sought a report from the interior minister. 

He also expressed deep sorry over the lives lost and instructed concerned officials to arrest the perpetrators of the attacks, said a statement. 

Domki maintained that the attacks were a “conspiracy to undermine the process of peaceful elections” and said the elements involved would be brought to justice. The chief minister added that all resources are being utilised to ensure the security of the people. 

Urging the people not to be afraid, he asked the citizens of the province to exercise their democratic right on February 8. 

Today’s explosions are the latest in a series of attacks targeting electoral offices and candidates in the rest of the province ahead of tomorrow’s general elections.

Condemnations

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said that all efforts to sabotage tomorrow’s elections will be defeated.

Kakar expressed grief on the loss of lives in the explosions in Pishin and Qilla Saifullah, and ordered for the injured to be provided all medical assistance.

He said the government is resolute in ensuring the electoral process is concluded peacefully.

Interim Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz strongly condemned the twin attacks in Balochistan and said he shared the grief of the families who lost their loved ones in the attack. 

“Inciteful elements want to create chaos before the general elections and stop the public from exercising their right to vote,” said the minister in a post on X.

He maintained that the government would not “let the evil intentions of the enemy succeed at any cost”.

Remote control bomb blast on Ex MPA Naseer Vehicle in Wana, 3 people injured.

WANA: A remote control bomb exploded near the vehicle of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTIP) PK110 nominated candidate and former MPA Naseer Ullah Khan Wazir in Wana Tehsil of South Waziristan Lower District on Wednesday.

As a result, three people were injured.

Former MPA spokesperson Younis Wazir said that our vehicle was passing by when a loud remote control bomb exploded.

The spokesman said that the MPA was not present in the vehicle at that time.

The three injured persons were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital Wana by Rescue 1122, ambulance but their condition is out of danger.

According to the police, unknown persons have targeted the vehicle of former MPA Naseer Ullah Wazir with a remote control mounted on the roadside in Mughal Khel village area of ​ Wana Tehsil.

Police said however, Naseer Ullah Wazir was not present in the vehicle at the time of the explosion.

As a result of the remote control bomb blast, three people have been injured and have been shifted to the hospital for treatment.

JUI leader Hafiz Hamdullah escapes unhurt after car comes under fire in Chaman

CHAMAN: In a concerning incident in Chaman, senior leader of Jamiat Ulema Islam, Hafiz Hamdullah, narrowly escaped harm as his car came under gunfire.

The police reported that Hafiz Hamdullah was en route to Quetta from Chaman when the attack occurred at Mezai Ada. Fortunately, despite the targeted shooting, Hafiz Hamdullah emerged unharmed from the ordeal.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, sparking concerns about the safety and security of political figures in the region. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to apprehend the perpetrators and ascertain the circumstances surrounding the attack on Hafiz Hamdullah’s car.

The incident has prompted renewed calls for enhanced security measures to safeguard political leaders and prevent such acts of violence in the future.

Amnesty ‘deeply concerned’ by pre-election violence in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Amnesty International has voiced profound apprehension over the escalating violence targeting election candidates and political entities in the country, particularly in the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

With the general elections scheduled for tomorrow, the human rights organisation in a statement released on Wednesday highlighted a series of lethal incidents that have unfolded in recent days, painting a grim picture of the security landscape leading up to the polls.

The most recent attacks occurred in Balochistan, where two separate assaults on election offices today resulted in the tragic loss of at least 24 lives. These incidents are not isolated, as the past 30 days have witnessed numerous attacks, including the ones on January 10 and 31, 2024, claiming the lives of two election candidates.

Amnesty International condemned the targeted violence as a blatant infringement on the democratic process and a severe violation of human rights.

Amnesty International’s concerns extend beyond the immediate acts of violence. As Pakistan braces for its general election tomorrow, the organisation pointed to a range of issues contributing to a worrisome pre-election environment.

Selective bans on protests and gatherings, harassment, arbitrary arrests, and detentions of party workers and candidates have been reported. Additionally, media restrictions, internet and social media disruptions, and trials of political opponents with insufficient due process rights raise serious alarm, it said.

The human rights organisation called on the caretaker government to take immediate actions to ensure compliance with human rights obligations during and after the elections.

Security plans finalised for Feb 8 polls: FO

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Wednesday said that Pakistan was fully committed to foster an inclusive democratic process and uphold the rule of law.

The spokesperson’s remarks came in response to the media queries on the statement by UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk who had urged authorities in Pakistan to ensure that parliamentary elections this week were free and fair.

He also appealed to ensure a fully free and fair vote and to recommit to the democratic process and an environment that promotes and protects human rights.

 “Pakistan is fully committed to fostering an inclusive democratic process, upholding the rule of law and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed in its laws and Constitution,” the spokesperson remarked.

She said the security plans have been finalized to hold the elections on February 8, 2024, as per the electoral laws of Pakistan.

The spokesperson said that Pakistan’s judicial system provided for fair trial and due process.

Domestic legal remedies are available in case of any complaints in the electoral process, she added.

ECP ready for polls

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has established 90,675 polling stations across the country for Feb 8 polls for the 12th general election 2024.

As per ECP, 25,320 polling stations for men and 23,952 for women have been established, while the total number of joint polling stations for men and women is 41,403 across the country.

Punjab: According to the ECP, a total of 50,944 polling stations have been set up in Punjab. The number of polling stations for men are 14,556 and 14036 polling stations for women have been established in Punjab.

While the number of joint polling stations for men and women in the province is 22,352.

Sindh: The total number of polling stations in Sindh is 19006. However, there are 40443 polling stations are reserved for men and 40313 polling stations for women have been specified in Sindh.

The number of combined polling stations for men and women in Sindh is 10,250.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A total of 15,697 polling stations have been established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the number of polling station reserved for men and women are 4,810 and 4,286 respectively.

ECP has established 6,610 joint polling stations for men and women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Balochistan: The ECP has set up a total of 50028 polling stations in Balochistan. There are 10511 polling stations set up for men and 10317 polling stations for women have been established in Balochistan, while the number of combined polling stations for men and women is 2200.

It should be noted that the general elections are being held across the country tomorrow, February 8, Thursday. The polling process will continue from 8 am to 5 pm tomorrow.

While the polling arrangements have been completed and all the polling material have been given to polling staff in the polling stations.

PTA assures uninterrupted internet services on election day

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) assured on Wednesday that internet services will not be suspended in the country on February 8 (tomorrow) as the nation heads to polls.

According to an official statement from the PTA, users can expect internet facilities to be available without interruption or obstacles on the day of the election. Importantly, the government has not issued any directives to shut down internet services on polling day.

The confirmation comes a day after Information Minister Murtaza Solangi stated that the government has not issued any guidelines for the shutdown of mobile phone services and the internet during the elections.

Highlighting that in case of a deteriorating law and order situation in any location, the local administration will evaluate the circumstances and make a decision accordingly.

Two days ago, Amnesty International (AI), in collaboration with several other human rights organisations, issued a call to authorities in Pakistan, urging them to guarantee uninterrupted access to the Internet and digital communication platforms for all citizens across the country during the upcoming elections.

The appeal came in response to a statement made by Caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz earlier on February 6, acknowledging the possibility of internet disruptions and shutdowns during Thursday’s polls.

Addressing a news conference in the federal capital Ejaz dispelled rumours surrounding the elections on Feb 8, saying until now the authorities had not received any directives to shut down the internet services on the day.

He added that any such action would only be taken upon a request from a province or a district.

 “As of now, no decision has been made to shut down mobile or internet services. However, if necessary, considerations are made based on security requests from specific districts or provinces [internet and mobile service will be suspended],” he remarked.

Expressing concern over the potential limitations on internet access, AI underscored the importance of upholding the right to freedom of expression and ensuring that citizens can freely share and access information online.

Internet services have been affected thrice in the past two months. The first time was on December 17, the second on January 7, and the latest one on January 20. The suspensions coincided with the PTI’s virtual events.

The interim government attributed the internet outages across the country to “technical issues”, stating that there was no assurance that such incidents would not recur in the future.

On January 24, the Sindh High Court (SHC) restrained the relevant authorities from suspending internet services till the general elections.

The SHC ordered the caretaker federal government and the PTA to ensure uninterrupted internet services till the polling day.

The order came on a petition filed by human rights defender and lawyer Jibran Nasir, who is contesting the polls for PS-110 as an independent candidate, against the frequent “unconstitutional” internet outages in the country in recent days.

Recently, the PTI moved the Supreme Court, urging it to take notice of the disruption of popular social media platforms including X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

In light of these developments, the rights organisations specifically called upon Prime Minister Anwarrul Haq Kakar and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take proactive measures to guarantee full internet access and social media usage throughout the election period.

AI and its partners emphasised that any disruptions to internet access during the election would not only undermine the democratic process but also impede the ability of citizens to access crucial information and express their viewpoints freely.

The ability to access the internet and utilise social media platforms is vital for citizens to participate in democratic processes, engage in informed discourse, and exercise their fundamental rights.

1,500 inmates in Punjab jails cast votes through postal ballots

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Approximately 1,500 prisoners exercised their right to vote via postal ballot papers in various prisons across Punjab on Wednesday.

According to reports, out of the 65,000 inmates incarcerated in Punjab’s 43 prisons, nearly 1,500 participated in the electoral process through postal ballots.

Mian Farooq Nazeer, the Punjab Prisons IG, confirmed that these inmates were deemed eligible to vote.

He said the voting process was closely monitored through cameras, and subsequently, the postal ballots were forwarded to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The ECP had formally requested the chief of Punjab Prisons to facilitate voting for prisoners via postal ballots.