26 killed in twin bombings ahead of general elections in Pakistan

At least 26 people have been killed and dozens more received injuries in two blasts rocked Pakistan ahead of high-stake parliamentary elections.

The first blast had occurred outside the election office of independent candidate Asfandyar Kakar in Pishin district of Balochistan province, Pakistani media DAWN reported. Pishin Deputy Commissioner Jumma Dad Khan said that at least 14 people were killed in the blast and 30 others wounded.

Provincial police said that wounded are being transported to a nearby hospital and lamented that some of them were in critical condition.

But a few hours later, another blast was reported in Qila Saifullah of the same province, in which 12 people were killed. The blast took place outside the JUI-F’s election office.

The twin bombings occurred one day before the parliamentary elections to be held across the country. No group has claimed responsibility for either attack that ripped through Balochistan despite stepped-up security across the country amid election violence.

To ensure a peaceful environment for voters, Pakistan announced a public holiday tomorrow (February 8) to facilitate voters on the polling day, but today’s twin bombing have further highlighted the need for more security measures by the Pakistani security forces.

Pakistan close borders with Afghanistan to Iran to improve security

Pakistan foreign ministry had announced the closure of the border with its both neighbors Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of efforts to provide a safe environment for voters to use their rights to vote.

“To ensure full security during the general elections to be held in Pakistan on 8 Feb 2024, border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran, would remain closed both for cargo and pedestrians. Normal operations would resume on 9 Feb 2024,” the ministry said in a tweet.

A doctor at at hospital in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, treats a man, one of dozens injured and killed Wednesday in two bomb blasts targeting the offices of local candidates in provincial and national elections due to be held Thursday. Photo by Jamal Taraqai/EPA-EFE

Meanwhile, the Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz has warned those responsible that they would face harsh consequences.

Achakzai said the “terrorists wanted to disturb election activities,” but pledged his government would make sure law and order prevailed on polling day.

“The miscreants want to defame Pakistan by creating unrest during the elections. Those who play with the lives of innocent citizens will be dealt with with iron hands,” he wrote in a post on X.
It’s worth mentioning that more than 120 million people are eligible to vote for candidates contesting 266 of the 342 seats in the parliament. Any political party that wants to form a new government needs to win 134 seats which then elects a prime minister for a four year term.

Pakistan to shut down internet due to security concern  

Internet service will be cut off during elections in places where there is more security threat. Ejaz had hinted at the possible suspension of the internet service in case of security issues in any area on the election day (tomorrow) while Amn e sty International called for uninterrupted internet access across the country during the polling process, DAWN reported.

Returning officers wait to collect sacks of voting materials to polling stations from a distribution centre in Lahore, eastern Pakistan: AFP

Ejaz said that final decision has not been taken but the authorities would consider suspending the internet service only if it receives a request form a district or province in case of any security threat.
“We need to see the scale of the threat, if it is necessary to block the line of communication of terrorists, we will do it in a nutshell,” he added.

Leaders condemned the twin bombings

Acting Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaarul Haq Kakar had expressed his grief on the lost of lives in the twin blasts in Balochistan and said that all efforts to sabotage “tomorrow’s elections will be defeated.” Kakar said the government will do everything to conduct a fair election and make sure to ensure the electoral process is concluded peacefully.

Ejaz strongly also condemned the twin attacks in Balochistan and said he shared the grief of the families who lost their loved ones in the attack.

Ejaz said that the government will fail the evil intention of the enemy to stop people from exercising their right to vote.

Pakistani politician and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condemned the terrorist attacks in Pishin and Qilla Saifullah, stating that those responsible would be brought to justice.

Offering his condolences to the families of the deceased, he said that targeting innocent people is a barbaric act.