Quetta Local Body Elections Postponement Rejected; Candidates Lose Millions, Say Activists

**Quetta:** Leaders of the Mazloom Awami Tehreek Pakistan, including Central Chairman Haji Sadiq Khan Adozai and Central President Abbas Khan Drani, strongly condemned the postponement of local body elections in Quetta, scheduled to take place after 13 years. They demanded that elections be conducted immediately or legal action would be pursued.

Addressing a press conference at Quetta Press Club, the leaders criticized the government of Balochistan and political parties for depriving citizens of their constitutional and fundamental right to vote. They said that delaying elections through judicial channels, especially at the last moment, violates democratic principles and public rights.

They alleged that the Election Commission collected between PKR 4,000 to 5,000 from each candidate per ward for election-related books, totaling nearly PKR 2 crore. Each candidate reportedly spent approximately PKR 1 lakh, a financial burden they described as unjust and oppressive.

Highlighting poor infrastructure, the leaders said Zarghoon Road has deteriorated over years, turning daily life into hardship, and criticized the government for failing to provide basic facilities. They noted that government employees have been protesting for their rights, reflecting the broader administrative and civic challenges in Quetta due to the absence of a functional local body system.

They concluded by warning that if local body elections are not conducted promptly, they will take the matter to the courts, asserting that using security and weather as excuses for postponement is merely a pretext, with the real reason being fear of public rejection.