One day prior to Pakistan’s electoral proceedings, a pair of explosions rattled the province of Balochistan, claiming the lives of two dozen individuals and causing injuries to over two dozen others, as reported by a local government official.
According to Jan Achakzai, Balochistan province’s Minister for Information and Public Relations, one of the blasts occurred in Pishin city, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 lives and leaving 24 others wounded. Simultaneously, another explosion shook Qilla Saifullhah city, claiming 10 lives by Wednesday afternoon local time.
Explosions in Pakistan Claim Lives of Over Two Dozen and Leave Many Injured on Eve of Election (Credits: The Guardian)
“Allow me to reiterate our unwavering commitment to relentlessly pursue terrorists until every last one of them is eliminated,” Achakzai stated on X (formerly Twitter). He further emphasized, “it is important to emphasize that the scheduled elections will proceed as planned. Rest assured, we will not allow terrorists to undermine or sabotage this crucial democratic process.”
As per the Associated Press, the initial attack targeted the election office of Asfandyar Khan, while the subsequent blast occurred at the office of politician Fazlur Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema Islam party.
The upcoming general elections on Feb. 8 in the nation of 240 million people will witness a multitude of political parties contending for governance, including that of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
In addition to Achakzai, various government ministers have denounced the violence.
“Interior Minister Dr. Gohar Ijaz strongly condemned the explosion outside the election office in Pishin,” a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of the Interior read on X. “Interior Minister’s prayers for patience and patience for the martyrs and their families.”
