The Balochistan government has suspended cellular and internet services in Quetta for two days in response to a shutter-down strike called by Jamiat Ulema-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). The strike is being held to protest alleged “rigging” during the re-polling in the PB-45 constituency, Quetta VIII, following disputed election results.
JUI-F’s provincial emir declared that the protests would persist until the party’s demands for justice were addressed. The re-polling results, which saw Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Ali Madad Khattak securing victory with 6,883 votes, have sparked tensions. Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s (PMAP) Nasarullah Zayrai came in second with 4,122 votes, while JUI-F’s Usman Pirkani secured third place with 3,731 votes.
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The seat had previously been won by Haji Ali Madad Jattak of PPP. A Supreme Court ruling recently upheld the election tribunal’s decision to recount votes at 15 polling stations in PB-45 due to findings of fraud and irregularities.
As the political unrest unfolds, JUI-F continues its protest against the election results, while the government’s suspension of internet services adds to the tense atmosphere in Quetta.
