All Parties Conference in Quetta Questions Transparency of Upcoming Local Elections
**Quetta (Qudrat Daily)** – An All Parties Conference (APC) organized by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) in Quetta expressed serious reservations over the upcoming local government elections, declaring that holding polls under Section 144, amid threats and fear, raises major questions about transparency.
The APC participants unanimously stated that both the government and the Election Commission appear focused on mere formalities rather than ensuring free and fair elections. They warned that if the local elections were conducted in a manner similar to the general elections—citing the controversial use of “Form 47”—the results would not be accepted.
The conference emphasized that it would resist any attempt to hold elections in haste and would pursue all constitutional and political means to seek postponement. The APC leadership announced plans to meet with the Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Secretary of Balochistan, and the Provincial Election Commissioner to discuss the electoral process and highlight Quetta’s pressing civic issues.
The meeting, chaired by JUI District Amir Maulana Abdul Rahman Rafiq at the party’s district office on Iqbal Road, was attended by leaders from several political parties including the Balochistan National Party, Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party, Awami National Party, National Party, Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (N), Jamaat-e-Islami, and others.
Participants discussed critical issues facing Quetta such as severe gas and electricity load shedding, water shortages, and deteriorating law and order. The APC decided to form a **joint committee** to work collectively on resolving Quetta’s civic problems and to convene another multi-party meeting soon with broader participation.
The conference also **strongly condemned the arrests of local PTI leaders**, terming it an undemocratic act aimed at stifling political dissent. The participants asserted that conducting elections in such an atmosphere of intimidation would be neither transparent nor credible.
