NA-8 election: PPP candidate escapes roadside blast

The PPP leader said that such cowardly attacks could not dampen his morale

By Our Correspondent
April 18, 2024
Former lawmaker and PPP leader Akhunzada Chattan speaks during a gathering on July 15, 2023. — Facebook/Akhunzada Chattan

KHAR/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate for National Assembly constituency NA-8 Syed Akhunzada Chattan escaped unhurt in a blast targeting his vehicle on the Badan Road in Mamond tehsil, Bajaur tribal district.

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Syed Akhunzada Chattan, who is considered close to PPP senior leadership, was returning home after addressing a public gathering in connection with election on NA-8.

The Election Commission of Pakistan had postponed the election on the National Assembly constituency NA-8 when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf dissident worker and independent candidate Rehanzeb was killed days before the 2024 general election.

The police said that the PPP candidate was targeted with a bomb planted in a motorcycle parked along the road. A contingent of the police arrived at the spot and launched a search operation. However, no arrests were made.

The PPP leader said that such cowardly attacks could not dampen his morale.

Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday condemned the attack on PPP leader Akhundzada Chattan in the constituency NA-8, Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and demanded arrest of the perpetrators.

“It is a matter of grave concern to target the PPP candidate during the election campaign,” he said in a statement. The PPP chairman said the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has failed to maintain law and order during the by-election. “No coercion, violence and terrorism can demoralise PPP workers,” he said.

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