Candidate gunned down in Waziristan

In a tragic incident on Wednesday, three individuals, including an independent candidate for the provincial assembly, lost their lives in a deadly shooting in Tapi village of Miranshah Tehsil, located in the North Waziristan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, according to officials.

The victims have been identified as Malik Kaleemullah, Masroor, and Muhammad Sakhi. Among them, Malik Kaleemullah was an independent candidate contesting in the upcoming elections from the PK-104 constituency, as confirmed by the local police.

The incident unfolded as Kaleemullah and his companions were returning home when they were targeted and fired upon during their journey. The bodies have been transferred to Miranshah Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Law enforcement authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, aiming to bring those responsible to justice. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear at this point.

In response to the tragic event, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) released a statement asserting that the untimely demise of the PK-104 Miranshah candidate, Malik Kaleemullah, would not disrupt the overall election process.

Read Poll candidate among three gunned down in North Waziristan

The ECP spokesperson clarified that, under Section 73, the election is only postponed if a candidate, actively involved in the election campaign, meets an unfortunate end.

The spokesperson highlighted the significance of candidates officially joining the electoral process by submitting Form 33, after which they are issued election symbols. This marks their formal participation in the election process, and any impact on the candidacy, such as the death of a candidate, triggers specific protocols outlined by the electoral regulations.

In a separate incident, former Balochistan Minister and ex-senator, Mir Aslam Buledi sustained serious injuries after an unidentified assailant opened fire on him in the Turbat city of Balochistan. Police sources have confirmed the incident, stating that Buledi has been urgently transferred to the hospital from Mir Isa National Park, where the attack occurred.

Initial police investigation suggests, that Buledi received two bullets. Buledi’s condition is critical, police sources said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2024.