QUETTA: The provincial government of Balochistan has suspended mobile and internet services in the capital, Quetta, following a shutter-down strike announced by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). The strike is in protest against alleged rigging during re-polling in the Balochistan Assembly’s PB-45 Quetta VIII constituency.
JUI-F’s provincial emir declared the protest indefinite, stating, “The protest will continue until we get our rights.”
Election results and controversy
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Ali Madad Jattak emerged victorious with 6,883 votes, as per unofficial results. Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) candidate Nasarullah Zayrai secured second place with 4,122 votes, while JUI-F’s Usman Pirkani trailed in third with 3,731 votes.
This constituency had previously been won by PPP’s Haji Ali Madad Jattak.
Supreme court’s verdict on recount
The re-polling followed a Supreme Court decision earlier this year. The court dismissed an appeal by Mir Ali Madad Jattak challenging the election tribunal’s directive for a recount at 15 polling stations in PB-45. The three-member bench, led by Justice Shahid Waheed, upheld the tribunal’s findings of alleged fraud in Form 45 at these stations.
Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi authored the 25-page judgment, which detailed significant irregularities. The judgment revealed that the petitioner, Jattak, received an unjustified increase of 4,912 votes while his opponent’s count remained unchanged. The court highlighted that election tribunals, acting as civil courts under the Election Act, have the authority to investigate and adjudicate such disputes.
Tensions in Quetta
The suspension of mobile and internet services, coupled with the strike, has created significant disruptions in Quetta. Businesses and daily activities have come to a standstill as political tensions escalate.
Authorities have yet to announce when the services will be restored or address the demands raised by JUI-F. The situation remains tense as stakeholders await further developments.
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