Karachi: Widespread protests erupted across Balochistan and Karachi as several political parties rejected recently announced election results, alleging widespread rigging.

Protests transcended provincial borders, reaching Karachi, where Jamaat-e-Islami, JUI and PTI announced demonstrations against claimed election manipulation.

JUI plans protests in Sohrab Goth, Quaidabad, and Northern Bypass, while Jamaat-e-Islami mobilises supporters at Stargate, Korangi, Shahrah Pakistan, UP Mor, Orangi, Hassan Square, Quaidabad, and Nazimabad. PTI aims to rally outside Election Commission Office.

Following hotly contested polls, major parties including National Party, PPP, JUI-F, BAP, BNP-Mengal, PkMAP, and PkNAP, have staged sit-ins at district returning offices, demanding recounts and challenging declared outcomes.

Discontentment ran high in Quetta, with protests engulfing major thoroughfares like Sariab Road, Buleli Road and Anscomb Road. Similar demonstrations raged in Chaman, Chagai, Dalbandin, Loralai, Qila Abdullah, Kharan and Sibi, effectively shutting down vital national highways in Naseerabad, Jafarabad, Sohbatpur, Kalat, and Nushki.

Meanwhile, in Islamabad, capital police has asserted that Section 144 is in force in city and that legal action will be taken against any illegal assembly of people.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 12 2024

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