Deputy Commissioner Quetta has issued a threat alert in the city, urging the political parties, groups, and candidates to suspend their campaigning activities in the wake of a possible suicide attack by a woman.
The commissioner’s office released a statement on Sunday, asking the candidates of NA 262, 263, and 264, and PB 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 to halt their election campaign for three days. The statement advised the candidates to “avoid unnecessary movement and public gatherings in open places, especially on 4th, 5th, and 6th Feb” to prevent any “untoward incident.”
As Pakistan’s general elections draw near, the Baloch people have shown reluctance and opposition to them. Baloch ‘pro-independence’ groups have launched several attacks on the political party offices, election centers, and candidates. On Saturday, Baloch Raj Aajoi Sangar (BRAS), a coalition of Baloch armed groups, took responsibility for multiple attacks on political party offices and candidates in Quetta, Kalat, and Kharan, among other areas.
Baloch nationalists contend that the general elections are a “farce” and a “tactic” of the Pakistani state to consolidate its “occupation” of Balochistan. They have appealed to the general public to abstain from voting, as it will legitimize the “unlawful occupation” of Balochistan.