Political Unity in Balochistan as BNP and JUI-F Join Forces to Contest PB-45 by-election

Quetta:Senior leaders from the Balochistan National Party (BNP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) have expressed that the only way to resolve the province’s issues is through transparent elections that reflect the true will of the people. The two parties made this statement during a joint press conference in Quetta, where BNP’s senior vice-president, Advocate Sajad Tareen, and JUI-F’s provincial president and senator, Maulana Abdul Wasay, announced the decision to withdraw BNP’s candidate, Mir Ghulam Rasool Mengal, in favor of JUI-F’s candidate, Mir Usman Pirkani, for the upcoming re-polling in the PB-45 constituency of Quetta.

Sajad Tareen highlighted that the problems of Balochistan stemmed from flawed policies by the federal government and military establishment, which have led to a deteriorating security situation and widespread discontent among the people. He emphasized that the use of Form 47 to manipulate election results had resulted in an undemocratic assembly, fueling public unrest. He pointed out that many regions, including Hub, Kalat, Turbat, Gwadar, and others, are witnessing protests, and the roads are blocked as people demand their rights. He accused the ruling authorities of depriving the public of their right to live peacefully.

He further stated, “We have decided to support JUI-F’s candidate for the PB-45 by-election, as it is in the best interest of the province and its people. The alliance between BNP and JUI-F reflects our commitment to finding democratic solutions to the region’s issues. Our goal is to prevent the imposition of unwanted political forces and to ensure that the people’s voice is heard.”

Maulana Abdul Wasay, in his address, praised BNP’s decision to withdraw their candidate and support JUI-F, stating that his party has always cooperated with other political forces to address the challenges facing Balochistan. He noted that despite initially receiving only 5,000 votes, JUI-F’s candidate had gained momentum, now securing over 10,000 votes with the support of BNP, National Party, MQM, and other parties. He also criticized the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for its lack of support among the public, with only 500 votes in their favor.

Maulana Wasay went on to say, “The current ruling parties are following in the footsteps of PTI, but we had warned PTI that their alliance with certain powers would only bring difficulties. Now, we see the same forces manipulating and sidelining the people’s voices. We are committed to confronting these forces and ensuring that the real representatives of the people are in power.”

Regarding the ongoing crisis, Tareen and Wasay highlighted the dire situation in Balochistan, where people are suffering due to the closure of border posts in Chaman, Panjgur, Taftan, and Mashkel, leading to economic hardship. They accused the authorities of confiscating the livelihoods of the local people and granting land to non-locals, creating a demographic shift aimed at marginalizing the indigenous population.

In response to questions about the current political situation, Sajad Tareen reiterated that the only way forward for Balochistan is through free and fair elections that respect the will of the people. He stated that the people imposed by Form 47 are not capable of addressing the province’s issues and only create further confusion.

Tareen concluded by saying, “The establishment does not favor us, which is why we have supported JUI-F’s candidate. Our goal is to ensure that Balochistan is represented in the assembly by someone who truly understands the needs of the province and its people.”

The joint press conference underscored the growing political unity among Balochistan’s opposition parties as they strive to address the region’s pressing issues and ensure a fair political process for the people of the province.