Shutterdown strike observed across Balochistan against alleged rigging in Feb 8 elections

On Sunday, a shutdown strike is being observed across Balochistan against alleged rigging in the Feb 8 elections.

As reported, the four political parties including BNP, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Hazara Democratic Party and National Party called for a shutter down-strike

According to the district administration, all the major roads across the province have been closed as workers of the BNP and NP took to the streets.

The details of the blocked roads are as follows:

• Quetta-Chamman highway at Baleli
• Quetta-Karachi highway at Mastung
• Quetta-Jacobabad highway at Sibi, near the Darakshan Housing Scheme
• Gwadar-Karachi highway at Sarband, Quetta
• Sindh-Balochistan highway at Hub
• Balochistan-Punjab highway at Barkhan
• DI Khan-Zhob highway was shut at both places
• The coastal highway was shut at Ormara

Meanwhile, the Pakistan-Iran RCD highway was also blocked in Dalbandin owing to a protest against the call of the four-party alliance in Chagi.

On the other hand, Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai has termed the shutter-down strike in the province a “failure”.

In a statement posted on X, he said all the major highways in the province were open.

“The Sardars and Nawabs of Balochistan are punishing the common people to reject the elections,” Achakzai added.

As reported, in response to the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s (PKMAP) request, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notification for the recount of votes in seven constituencies across Balochistan.

This recount will encompass constituencies PB-40, 41, 43, 48, 49, 50, 51, and PB-21, with Returning Officers directed to carry out the process per the law.