Tehran- IRAF- Pakistan’s opposition on Sunday, marking the second anniversary of the 2024 elections, called for a nationwide strike. Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) and the opposition alliance, alleging “widespread electoral fraud” in those elections, urged people to shut down businesses.
Uneven Strike on the Anniversary of Pakistan’s Elections
In Quetta, the capital of Baloochestan province, the call for a strike was widely observed. Markets were completely closed, and reports also emerged of internet outages in some areas. In addition, sporadic clashes occurred between protesters and security forces, with police using tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
Local sources reported the arrest of at least 70 political activists in various areas of Punjab and Balochestan provinces. In some cities, public transportation services were temporarily suspended due to security concerns.
In contrast, the situation was different in major cities such as Islamabad and Lahore, where most markets and shops remained open. Many shopkeepers said that the closure of some businesses was unrelated to the strike call and was instead due to the weekend (Sunday).
In 2024, one day after the resignation of a senior local official in Rawalpindi and his admission of “electoral fraud,” supporters of Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf, led by Imran Khan, staged protests in several cities. At the same time, some centrist and left‑wing parties joined the demonstrations by blocking roads in various areas.
Meanwhile, Pakistani media published extensive reports on delays in announcing election results, accompanied by allegations of fraud.
However, the Election Commission of Pakistan rejected these claims, stating that the local official had no direct responsibility in the voting process.
