Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
WASHINGTON DC, 8th Feb. According to the local police on Wednesday the first blast took place outside the election office of independent candidate Asfandyar Kakar in Pishin, Balochistan.
The city’s deputy commissioner, Yasir Bazai said that 12 people were killed in the blast, which took place outside the JUI-F’s election office.
The hospital’s MS Dr Habib told Geo News that the injured people were taken to the Tehsil Hospital Khanozai, while the bodies have been transferred.
Dr Habib said most of the injured are in critical condition.
The provincial health secretary imposed an emergency across hospitals in Quetta for which additional staff has also been called.
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the “terrorism” incident in Pishin, added that the conspirators involved should be brought to justice, news media reported.
“Targeting innocent people is a barbaric act,” Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said.
He said that the federal and Balochistan governments should identify the elements involved and bring them to justice.
Pakistan Muslim League-N President Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the lives lost in two blasts in Pishin and Qila Saifullah in Balochistan.
“These cowardly terrorist attacks a few hours before the elections cannot dampen our spirits,” he said.
Caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz strongly condemned the attack outside the JUI-F’s office in Balochistan’s Qila Saifullah, added that he shared the grief of the bereaved families.
He said in a post shared on X. “Inciteful elements want to create chaos before the general elections and stop the public from exercising their right to vote”.
Gohar Ejaz called the attack an “extremely cowardly act”, Ejaz asserted government would “not let the evil intentions of the enemy succeed at any cost”.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has taken notice of the blast and summoned a report from the Balochistan chief secretary and Inspector General of Police as per Geo News.
An ECP spokesperson said that directives have been issued to take action against those involved in such incidents.
Pakistan is set to witness the general elections tomorrow (February 8).
