Balochistan home minister to request delay in holding elections

Home minister cites Hajj and monsoon as reason for requesting delay

QUETTA: Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti on Wednesday will present a resolution in the provincial assembly and request a delay in holding general elections 2018.

According to the resolution, Bugti will ask for a one-month delay, citing the reason that people will be performing Hajj during the dates earmarked for polls in the country by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).



Between the time when the government dissolves on May 31, and the announced election date of July 25, Bugti further says the government will not get adequate time to prepare for elections.

The provincial home minister further states in the resolution that the monsoon season is a difficult time in Balochistan. Many residents of different cities are forced to migrate to different areas in order to avoid flash floods and other disasters. He will also request the provincial assembly to reach out to the federal government and officially ask for a delay, keeping in mind that Balochistan is the largest province in the country.