Conflicts & War

At least 2 killed, 13 injured during a vote recount in Pakistan

Islamabad, Feb 15 (EFE).- At least two people were killed and 13 injured in a gunfight between supporters of two political parties during a vote recount in southwestern Pakistan, police said on Thursday.

“Two political workers were killed and 13 others were wounded in an armed clash outside the Civic Centre in Hub city yesterday,” Iqbal Farid, the police chief of the city in the volatile Balochistan province, told EFE.

According to the police officer, the recount was conducted after Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate Ali Zehri challenged the victory of Balochistan National Party (BAP) candidate, Muhammad Saleh Bhutani, in the Balochistan Provincial Assembly election.

Both factions opened fire on each other during the clashes, which lasted for two hours,, the police officer added.

Police arrested three people and recovered Kalashnikov rifles and other weapons after the clash, he said.

Frontier Corps personnel were deployed to the area to prevent further escalation of violence and maintain law and order in the area.

Balochistan has witnessed protests by political parties denouncing alleged election fraud during last week’s polls to elect representatives of the National Assembly and provincial parliaments.

Following the announcement of election results, major highways and roads in Balochistan were blocked, while a strike was also observed in most parts of the province, including the capital, Quetta, on Tuesday.

Along with the regional parties in Balochistan, national political parties such as former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (F) (JUI-F), and the Jamaat e Islami (JI) have expressed serious concerns over alleged fraud across the country.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has ordered a recount in several constituencies and re-election for some seats in the National Assembly and regional assemblies on Thursday. EFE

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