QUETTA: Four people died and five others were wounded after a blast took place near Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) rally in Balochistan’s Sibi on Tuesday ahead of the upcoming February 8 polls.
According to Sibi Station House Officer (SHO) Zakaullah Gujjar, the injured persons were being moved to the Civil Hospital. He said the condition of most of them was critical and expressed fears that the death toll could rise.
Gujjar said security forces reached the blast site immediately after the incident was reported and cordoned off the area. “A bomb disposal squad is collecting evidence from the crime scene,” he added.
Separately, the PTI said the blast occurred at an election rally organised by party-backed candidate Saddam Tareen, who is contesting the upcoming polls from the NA-253 (Ziarat) constituency.
It said three PTI workers were killed and seven were injured in the incident while Tareen remained unhurt. “We strongly condemn this heartbreaking incident and demand that attention should be given to suppressing terrorists instead of PTI workers,” the party said in a post on social media platform X.
The party termed the incident a “criminal failure” of the provincial and federal governments.
“A full investigation of the incident should be conducted and the criminal negligence of the supervising governments should also be investigated to bring those responsible to justice,” it said. The party questioned why security was not provided to the rally despite a high alert.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Health Secretary Abdullah Khan Noorzai had imposed an emergency at hospitals across Quetta and Sibi, according to a statement issued by the provincial health department.
“Instructions have been issued to Sibi’s medical superintendent to provide the best healthcare facilities to patients. All doctors and staff are instructed to be present on duty immediately,” the statement said.
It added that instructions were issued to increase the security of hospitals to tackle any untoward situation, gather medicines, medical equipment, lab necessities, and ample stock of blood.
ECP takes notice, summons report
In a post on X, the Election Commission of Pakistan said it had taken notice of the incident and summoned a report from Balochistan’s chief secretary and police chief.
Meanwhile, Interim Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai said: “Regardless of the actions of terrorists, the elections will proceed as planned.”
“The rally in Sibi, which was targeted by terrorists, will not discourage the government of Balochistan from conducting the elections,” he maintained.
The caretaker minister said it was “evident” that terrorists aimed to disrupt the election process and its results.“The resilient people of Balochistan, by the grace of God, will ensure that at least 50 per cent of the population actively participates in the voting process on February 8. “I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the three families affected by the tragic blast in Sibi,” Achakzai added.