Deadly blasts strike candidates' offices in Pakistan, killing 26

At least 26 people feared dead, multiple wounded in two blasts at candidates’ offices ahead of elections in Pakistan

At least 26 people were killed and over 30 sustained injuries on Wednesday after two explosions occurred in Pakistan’s Balochistan province ahead of parliamentary elections.

The first attack, which killed 14 people, took place at the office of an independent election candidate in Pishin district. The explosion occurred outside the office of independent candidate Asfand Yar Khan Kakar in the Khanozai area of Pishin. Kakar was not present in his office at the time of the blast.

The second explosion in Qilla Saifullah, near the Afghan border, detonated near an office of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI), a religious party that has previously been the target of militant attacks, according to the province’s information minister.

Pakistan is bracing itself for the closely watched elections for national and provincial assemblies scheduled for Thursday. Concerns have escalated following a significant crackdown on the largest opposition party, Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, raising fears of potential manipulation.

Voters will cast their ballots for two legislators to represent their constituency – federally and provincially. 5,121 candidates are contesting for the federal legislature and 12,695 for the provinces.

At least two people, including an independent candidate affiliated with jailed Imran Khan’s PTI, were killed and nine others injured in election-related violence in Pakistan a week ago, according to police.

Source: Newsroom

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