JUI Balochistan Announces Province-Wide Strike and Protests Over Alleged Rigging in PB-45 By-Election

Quetta:Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Balochistan’s provincial chief and Senator Maulana Abdul Wasay has accused the authorities of rigging the re-polling in the PB-45 constituency, claiming that his party’s victory was turned into defeat. In a press conference at his residence, Maulana Wasay alleged that the government-backed candidate was forcibly made victorious under the threat of arms. He also announced a province-wide wheel jam strike on January 8, alongside a series of planned protests in the coming weeks.

Maulana Wasay expressed his outrage over what he called the murder of democracy under the guise of democratic practices. He pointed out that after the elections on January 5, the same situation from the previous polling was repeated, confirming irregularities in the voting process. The JUI leader criticized the lack of transparency in the election process, stating that no candidate was allowed to leave the Returning Officer’s office, further supporting the claims of rigging.

“We reject the situation where the government’s candidate was imposed at gunpoint, and we have decided to stage peaceful protests,” Maulana Wasay said. He also condemned the government’s decision to cut off communication signals in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan, describing it as a sign of incompetence. He revealed that 15 polling station forms were available and stated that such a level of rigging was unacceptable.

Maulana Wasay detailed the voting results, mentioning that Ali Madad Jatk received 6,880 votes, while Usman Pirkani secured more than 6,000 votes. He vowed that on Wednesday, all national highways would be blocked in protest. The JUI will also continue to target provincial government policies, particularly focusing on alleged corruption in the agricultural sector under the “Silversystem” program and the closure of the Balochistan border.

Further demonstrations will take place on January 20 in Chaman, protesting the border closure, and from February 9 to 17, protests will be held in the Baloch Belt against the border restrictions.

Maulana Wasay stated that the party is committed to ensuring fair elections in Balochistan and warned that if their mandate is not respected, he would resign from politics. He also called for future elections to be transparent and for the sanctity of the people’s vote to be upheld.