Shutdown strike against election rigging continue in Balochistan

F.P. Report

QUETTA: A province-wide shutdown strike paralyzed Balochistan, as major political parties protest against alleged rigging in the recent general elections. Business centers remained closed, streets echoed with slogans, and sit-ins sprang up across the region, demanding transparency and accountability.

The call for the strike came from a powerful alliance of four parties the Balochistan National Party (BNP), National Party (NP), Pashtun Khawa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), and Hazara Democratic Party (HDP). They accuse authorities of manipulating poll results to favor other parties, effectively stealing their victories. In Quetta, the provincial capital, business centers remained shuttered, and major intersections witnessed sit-ins. The Balochistan Bar Council and Anjuman Tajran (Traders Association) extended their support to the strike, further amplifying the movement.

Nushki saw a complete shutdown, with markets and shops deserted in response to the four-party alliance’s call. People took to the streets, raising their voices against alleged poll rigging and demanding fair results. The BNP’s ongoing protest outside the Nushki district returning officer’s office entered its third day, blocking the national highway and intensifying pressure on authorities.

In Chaman, the Pashtunkhawa Milli Awami Party (ANP) led a shutdown strike, causing businesses to close and essential services to be disrupted. Party workers staged sit-ins for the fifth consecutive day in front of the district returning officer’s office, demanding the declaration of results based on Form 45, the official polling station record. Banks, passport offices, NADRA offices, and post offices remained shut for the second day, highlighting the impact of the strike.

Asghar Khan Achakzai, ANP’s provincial president, asserted that the protests would continue until the results based on Form 45 are declared. This unwavering stance underscores the determination of the political parties to see their demands met. The shutdown strike throws into question the normalcy of daily life in Balochistan. While peaceful protests are a legitimate expression of dissent, prolonged disruptions can negatively impact the economy and public welfare. The situation demands a swift and transparent response from the authorities to address the accusations of rigging and restore public trust in the electoral process.

Pushtunkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP), while demanding to release postal ballets and accept the lead of PNAP in NA-251-Zhob-cum-Killa Saifullah constituency, has announced to block all main highways of the Balochistan province from February 14 (today).

Addressing a press conference at Quetta Press Club here on Tuesday with central Secretary Finance, Yousaf Khan Kakar, central Secretary Information, Essa Roshan, provincial president, Nasrullah Zarae and others, alleged that District Returning Officer, Killa Saifullah had received Rs500 million to temper the result of PNAP in NA-251-Zhob constituency.

Urging all nationalist political parties, including Pushtunkhwa National Awami Party, Awami National Party, Balochistan National Awami Party (Mengal) Hazara Democratic Party and National Party, to join hands to get a new constitution framed in the country, he said that exploitation of nations was happening in the country.

He said that election was not conducted in the country on February 8 rather election was held on February 10 and February 11 in the offices of District Returning Officers and Returning Officers by stamping the ballot papers, adding though the name of the country was Islamic Democratic Pakistan yet neither there was democracy in Pakistan nor democracy.

He said PNAP was waging struggle for the supremacy of parliament and law. Demanding to release postal ballets of NA-251-Killa Saifullah and accept the lead of PNAP in NA-251-Zhob-cum-Killa Saifullah constituency within a period of two days, he announced to block all main highways of the province, including Balochistan-Punjab, Balochistan-Punjab and Balochistan-Sindh highways, from February 14 (today) against pre-poll and post poll rigging.