Pakistan: Cellular, internet services suspended in Quetta amid strike call
Balochistan Government Suspends Internet Amid JUI-F Strike
Background of the Strike
The Balochistan government has halted cellular and internet services in Quetta for two days. This decision follows the Jamiat Ulema-Islam-Fazl's (JUI-F) call for a shutter-down strike. The strike protests alleged "rigging" during the re-polling of the PB-45 Quetta VIII constituency, a significant seat in the Balochistan Assembly.
JUI-F's Stand
The JUI-F provincial emir announced, "The protest will continue until we get our rights," urging supporters to join the strike. The party claims there were irregularities in the polling process, which is part of their larger campaign against electoral malpractice.
Election Results and Controversy
Unofficial results show Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Ali Madad Khattak winning with 6,883 votes. Nasarullah Zayrai of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) came second with 4,122 votes, and JUI-F's Usman Pirkani was third with 3,731 votes. The PB-45 seat was previously held by Haji Ali Madad Jattak of the PPP.
Supreme Court's Involvement
The controversy began when the Supreme Court upheld an election tribunal's order for a recount at 15 polling stations due to irregularities in Form 45. A three-member bench, led by Justice Shahid Waheed, dismissed an appeal by PPP's Mir Ali Madad Jattak. The recount showed an unexplained increase of 4,912 votes for the petitioner, while his opponent's tally stayed at 1,623.
Government's Response
The suspension of communication services aims to prevent unrest during the JUI-F's strike. The ongoing political tensions and the strike's impact on Quetta's residents underscore the electoral dispute's broader implications.
Doubts Revealed
Balochistan
Balochistan is a province in Pakistan. It is located in the southwestern part of the country and is known for its mountainous terrain and rich natural resources.
Internet Suspension
Internet suspension means turning off internet services in a particular area. This is sometimes done by governments to prevent people from communicating during times of unrest or protests.
JUI-F
JUI-F stands for Jamiat Ulema-Islam-Fazl. It is a political party in Pakistan that is led by religious leaders and often participates in elections and political activities.
Quetta
Quetta is the capital city of Balochistan province in Pakistan. It is an important city known for its cultural diversity and historical significance.
Election Rigging
Election rigging refers to unfair practices during elections to influence the results. This can include tampering with votes or manipulating the counting process.
PB-45 Quetta VIII
PB-45 Quetta VIII is a specific electoral constituency in Quetta, Balochistan. It is an area where people vote to elect their representative in the provincial assembly.
PPP
PPP stands for Pakistan Peoples Party. It is one of the major political parties in Pakistan, known for its liberal and progressive policies.
Ali Madad Khattak
Ali Madad Khattak is a politician from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) who won the election in the PB-45 Quetta VIII constituency.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in a country. In Pakistan, it has the power to make important legal decisions, including ordering recounts in elections.
Form 45
Form 45 is a document used in Pakistani elections to record the results from each polling station. It is important for ensuring transparency and accuracy in the election process.
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