‘Rigging’ protest blocks highways

Shutter-down strike observed in Quetta, other parts of province

QUETTA:

A shutter-down strike was observed in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan against the alleged poll rigging in the province on Tuesday. Four nationalist political parties namely the Balochistan National Party (BNP), Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), National Party (NP), and Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) had given the call for a strike against what they claimed was record poll rigging during the recently held general elections.

“Our protest will continue till fair and transparent elections,” Ghulam Nabi Marri, one of the central leaders of BNP said. He warned of intensifying protests against the provincial and federal governments for what he claimed worst election rigging.

All markets, shops and business centers remained closed in Quetta and various cities of Balochistan on the eve of shutter-down strike called by the four mainstream political parties of the province.

Read Protests against poll ‘rigging’ rock Balochistan

Multiple political parties organized protest demonstrations outside returning officers’ offices in various district headquarters of Balochistan. Candidates and party representatives urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to oversee the recounting and re-conducting of several constituencies across the province.

“We want justice,” Abdul Qahar Wadan of the PkMAP demanded. He alleged the worst poll rigging in Balochistan.

The protesters have also blocked the high-security zone of Quetta outside the deputy commissioner’s office. The protest outside the DC’s office has persisted for the last four days against the alleged election rigging.

PNAP’s Khushal Khan Kakar also announced an indefinite blockade of all highways in the province. Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, Kakar claimed his victory was turned into defeat by the returning officer “even though he secured a clear majority”.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th 2024.