Pakistan Fatal Blast Hits Balochistan Candidate's Office Ahead Of Elections, Leaving 22 Dead

Pakistan Blast News: At least 22 people were killed and over two dozen injured in bomb blasts at an election office in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Wednesday.

The explosions occurred just a day before parliamentary elections were scheduled to take place. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing yet, according to provincial government officials, reported Reuters.

Blast in Pakistan ahead of Pakistan polls

The gas-rich province, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, has been subject to insurgency by Baluch nationalists for over two decades, initially driven by resource-sharing demands and later evolving into a quest for independence. A significant presence is maintained in the region by Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups.

Responsibility for the bombing has not been claimed by any group. The first attack, resulting in 14 casualties, occurred at the office of an independent election candidate in the Pishin district, reported Hindustan Times.

Subsequently, another explosion in Qilla Saifullah, near the Afghan border, targeted an office of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI), a religious party frequently subjected to militant attacks, leading to at least 10 fatalities, according to the province's officials.

Immediate reports have been requested by the Election Commission from the chief secretary and inspector general of Balochistan, and they have been instructed to take action against those behind the events, as stated in a statement by an Election Commission spokesperson.

For the elections scheduled to be held on Thursday, over 5,00,000 security officers have been deployed, and ballot papers have been distributed to more than 90,000 polling stations by officials. Several controversies have marred the election, with accusations of pre-poll rigging after a crackdown on the party of former prime minister Imran Khan, who won the 2018 poll but was later ousted from power by a vote of no confidence.

Security is a major concern with two candidates shot dead and numerous others targeted in attacks across the country in the lead-up to Thursday's vote. Campaigning officially concluded on Tuesday night, and voting is scheduled to begin at 8:00 am local time on Thursday, closing at 5:00 pm, as reported by HT.

In a country with a population of 24 crore, nearly 12.8 crore are eligible to vote. A total of almost 18,000 candidates are competing for seats in the national and provincial assemblies, including 266 directly contested seats in the national assembly, with an additional 70 reserved for women and minorities. There are also 749 positions in the regional parliaments.