Quetta Breaking News: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Balochistan (JUI-B) has announced a complete shutdown of national highways across Balochistan on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The party is protesting alleged rigging in the PB-45 by-election, claiming their victory was deliberately overturned. The announcement was made by JUI-B’s provincial Ameer, Maulana Abdul Wasay, during a high-profile press conference held in Quetta.
Prominent party leaders, including Kamran Murtaza, Agha Mahmood Shah, Maulvi Kamaluddin, Usman Parkani, Maulvi Sarwar Musa Khel, Haji Nawaz Kakar, and Dilawar Khan Kakar, were present in solidarity.
PB-45 By-Election Rigging Sparks Outrage
Maulana Abdul Wasay lashed out at the election process, stating, “The re-polling in PB-45 was a premeditated effort to sabotage our victory and convert it into a defeat. Democracy was trampled upon, and records of electoral fraud were shattered.” He further highlighted that candidates were barred from leaving the Returning Officer’s (RO) office, providing clear evidence of electoral malpractice.
Clash with Balochistan’s Leadership
The JUI-B leadership disclosed its discontent with the Chief Minister of Balochistan, describing a contentious conversation in which the CM’s tone was deemed inappropriate. After consultations, the party resolved to terminate any negotiations with the provincial government. “The government blatantly used force to declare its candidate victorious,” said Maulana Abdul Wasay.
Governance Failures and Allegations
The party criticized the government for widespread failures:
- Communication Blackout: Suspension of signals across Quetta and other parts of Balochistan, labeled as governmental incompetence.
- Election Rigging Proof: Discrepancies in vote counts, with Ali Madad Jatak receiving 680 votes, while Usman Parkani secured over 6,000 votes, highlight deliberate fraud.
- Neglect of Public Sectors: Education and healthcare systems are in shambles, while border closures have crippled trade and livelihoods.
- Farmers Deceived: The government’s solar system initiatives were labeled as a ploy to mislead farmers.
JUI-B’s Future Plan: Shutdown and Protests
As part of its resistance strategy:
- National Highways Closure: Highways across Balochistan will be blocked on January 8, 2025.
- Provincial Shutdown: JUI-B aims to paralyze the provincial government.
- Peaceful Resistance: The party concluded its peaceful protest and sit-in but reaffirmed its commitment to political activism.
Maulana Abdul Wasay called for immediate corrective measures and demanded an end to government malpractice.
