The Balochistan government has suspended cellular and internet services in Quetta for two days, following the announcement of a shutter-down strike by Jamiat Ulema-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), according to multiple media reports.
The strike is being held to protest alleged “rigging” during the re-polling in Balochistan Assembly’s PB-45 constituency, Quetta VIII.
JUI-F’s provincial emir stated that the protest would continue until the party’s demands for justice were met.
The re-polling results saw Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Ali Madad Khattak winning the seat with 6,883 votes, according to unofficial results.
Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) candidate Nasarullah Zayrai secured second place with 4,122 votes, while JUI-F’s Usman Pirkani finished in third place with 3,731 votes.
The seat had previously been won by Haji Ali Madad Jattak of PPP. The Supreme Court of Pakistan recently dismissed an appeal by Mir Ali Madad Jattak, a PPP candidate, challenging the election tribunal’s decision to recount votes at 15 polling stations in PB-45.
The court upheld the tribunal’s ruling, which found irregularities in the election process, including fraud in Form 45 across multiple polling stations.
As tensions rise over the election results, JUI-F’s protest and the government’s response continue to unfold in Quetta.
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