QUETTA: The government of Balochistan imposed a ban on Sunday on public meetings and electoral gatherings in Quetta citing security threats.
Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai took to social media platform X to announce the ban and elaborated that the step has been taken in “response to a terror alert”, indicating the presence of a suspected female suicide bomber in Quetta.
Achakzai emphasised the necessity of imposing restrictions on public gatherings and electoral meetings. He urged all political parties and candidates to conduct their meetings indoors. While recognising the importance of the electoral campaign, the Balochistan government underscored that public safety must be prioritised. As the nation braces for polls on Feb 8, a concerning surge in violence marked by several acts of terrorism has unfolded in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Prominent political figures have also been issued threats. The law enforcement agencies are grappling with the formidable challenge of upholding peace and stability in the region.
On Thursday, one person was killed and five others injured in three separate attacks in Balochistan. In the first incident of violence, an individual lost his life and another sustained injuries as a blast occurred on Sabzal Road in Quetta. According to police, unidentified miscreants had planted an improvised explosive device on the roadside, resulting in a powerful explosion that claimed the life of a person on the spot.
Meanwhile, in two separate incidents of violence in the province, four people sustained injuries in two separate hand-grenade attacks in Jaffarabad and Turbat cities. –Agencies
