Balochistan’s provincial government has suspended mobile and internet services in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, following the announcement of a shutter-down strike by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) for alleged “rigging” during the re-polling in the Balochistan Assembly’s constituency PB-45 Quetta VIII.
“The protest will continue until we get our rights,” declared the JUI-F provincial emir, initiating the strike starting today.
In the contested re-polling, Ali Madad Khattak of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emerged victorious with 6,883 votes, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results. Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) candidate Nasarullah Zayrai followed with 4,122 votes, while JUI-F’s Usman Pirkani trailed in third place with 3,731 votes. Previously, Haji Ali Madad Jattak of the PPP had won this seat.
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Earlier in January, the Supreme Court upheld an election tribunal’s decision for a recount at 15 polling stations in PB-45, Quetta, after dismissing an appeal by Mir Ali Madad Jatak of the PPP. A three-member bench, led by Justice Shahid Waheed and including Justices Irfan Saadat Khan and Aqeel Abbasi, confirmed the need for this recount.
On November 20, 2024, the bench reserved its verdict, dismissing Jatak’s appeal in a detailed 25-page judgment authored by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi. The judgment noted that the election tribunal, which holds the authority of a civil court under the Election Act, rightly exercised its power to record statements and adjudicate election disputes.
The findings revealed that an increase of 4,912 votes was recorded for the petitioner through Form 45, while votes for his opponent, Mir Muhammad Usman, remained unchanged at 1,623. The court stated, “According to the election tribunal’s records, fraud was committed in Form 45 across 15 polling stations in the constituency,” justifying the need for a recount and ultimately dismissing Jatak’s appeal.
