Mobile and Internet Services Suspended in Quetta: Here’s why

By DTD- On Jan 6, 2025

QUETTA – The provincial government has imposed a two-day suspension of mobile and internet services in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, following a call for a shutter-down strike by the Jamiat Ulema-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). The protest, organized in response to what the party claims was “rigging” during re-polling in the Balochistan Assembly constituency PB-45, aims to voice discontent over the election outcome.

JUI-F’s provincial emir declared the strike, vowing to continue the protest until the party’s grievances are addressed. The protest follows the recent re-polling in PB-45, where Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Ali Madad Khattak was declared the winner, securing 6,883 votes according to unofficial results. Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) candidate Nasarullah Zayrai placed second with 4,122 votes, while JUI-F’s Usman Pirkani came in third with 3,731 votes.

This development follows a ruling earlier in January by Pakistan’s Supreme Court, which dismissed an appeal challenging the decision of an election tribunal to conduct a recount at 15 polling stations in the constituency. The recount was ordered after allegations of fraud emerged regarding discrepancies in the vote count, particularly in Form 45, which indicated a significant increase in votes for the PPP candidate.

The JUI-F, which had previously contested the election, is now demanding a review of the process, citing concerns over the fairness of the election. The Supreme Court’s ruling had upheld the election tribunal’s decision and dismissed the appeal filed by the previous PPP candidate, Mir Ali Madad Jattak, who had lost his seat in the re-polling.

As tensions rise, the government has taken preventive measures by suspending communication services in Quetta, fearing unrest during the strike. The protests are expected to continue as political parties and their supporters in Balochistan continue to contest the election’s legitimacy.