As Pakistan prepares for the upcoming General Elections, incidents of explosions and violence have surged, creating a tense atmosphere in the country. In the latest development, a bomb blast occurred outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in Balochistan’s Nushki District on Sunday. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported, and authorities are actively investigating the incident.
According to ARY News, the explosion was triggered outside the gate of the Election Commission of Pakistan office. Police have cordoned off the area, and efforts to apprehend the perpetrators are underway. This incident follows a blast that occurred last week outside the ECP office in Karachi, indicating a concerning trend of violence in the lead-up to the elections.
An investigation is currently in progress to determine the nature of the explosion and identify those responsible. In the Karachi incident, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) revealed that the explosive material was concealed in a shopping bag beside the wall of the Election Commission of Pakistan office in the city’s red zone area. Notably, the explosive substance did not include ball bearings, as highlighted by the SSP.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has taken note of the recent explosion outside its Karachi office, seeking reports from the District Monitoring Officer and SSP South. The security situation remains a significant concern as the country approaches the scheduled General Elections on February 8.
Meanwhile, pre-election violence has marred the atmosphere in Balochistan, with multiple incidents targeting political entities and election-related offices. In various hand grenade attacks across different towns of Balochistan, including the Mughalsarai area of Kalat town, six people, including Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers, were injured. The PPP’s election office was attacked by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle, detonating a grenade in close proximity to the building.
These incidents of violence underscore the challenges faced by Pakistan as it prepares for a crucial electoral process. The safety and security of the electoral process and citizens remain a top priority, and authorities are working to ensure a peaceful and fair election despite these challenges.
