Despite security threats, Pakistan’s elections will be held on time

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Pakistan’s top electoral authority on Thursday announced that the general elections will be held as per schedule despite fresh violence in the country’s two provinces.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the capital Islamabad to review the deteriorating law and order situation in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and southwestern Balochistan provinces, where escalating violence has claimed several lives in recent days.

The meeting was attended by top government and security officials.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting, caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz said the meeting was of unanimous view that the national vote will be held on Feb. 8 as per schedule.

“The ECP and the caretaker government will ensure the holding of general elections on Feb. 8. There should be no ambiguity in this regard,” Ejaz maintained.

Renewed violence, including election-related incidents, claimed nearly two dozen lives in less than a week in the two provinces.

In the latest flare-up, one person was killed in a roadside blast in Balochistan’s capital Quetta, whereas hand grenade blasts were also reported from Turbat and Jaffarabad districts on Thursday.

At least 19 people, including nine suspected militants and four troops, were killed in hours-long clashes and rocket attacks in Balochistan’s Mach town earlier this week.

An independent candidate from KP’s Bajaur district, and a local politician in Balochistan’s Chaman district were killed in separate attacks on Wednesday.

Election offices of several political parties have been attacked across the two provinces over the past week, injuring a dozen political activists.