QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Nazriyate) Provincial Convener and Quetta District President Qari Mehrullah has expressed deep concern over the situation in Quetta, declaring that holding local government elections under current conditions—even on court orders—is inappropriate. He announced that the party will boycott the elections in view of the worsening circumstances.
Speaking at a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Sunday, accompanied by party leaders Syed Abdul Sattar Chishti, Abdullah Haqqani, Maulana Rahmatullah, Sheikh Maulvi Khudae Nazar, and others, Qari Mehrullah said that although the provincial election commission is conducting local body elections on court directives, the situation in Quetta is extremely unstable.
He said residents are already deprived of basic facilities, including internet access, mobile networks, and open roads. Section 144 is enforced in the city, and security checkpoints established by the Frontier Corps have restricted movement. Public transport remains suspended, and in severe winter conditions—with temperatures dropping to minus 8 to 10 degrees Celsius—many residents migrate to Sindh and other warmer regions.
He added that conducting elections under such circumstances would be nothing more than a formality, especially when “two parties” are attempting to bring forward their preferred candidates through a mutual arrangement. The public is already living in fear due to unrest and the overall situation, he said, making it impossible for his party to participate.
Qari Mehrullah appealed to the public and announced that JUI (Nazriyate) will not contest the local government polls and formally declares a boycott. He urged the government and the Election Commission to postpone the elections by two to three months and hold them in May, June, or July when conditions improve.
He noted that nearly all political parties had expressed reservations about the February 8, 2024 general elections, and the outcomes—reflected in Form-47—were evident for all to see. He questioned whether the current situation was any better than at that time, suggesting it may be even worse.