QUETTA: Senator Maulana Abdul Wasi, Ameer of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Balochistan, declared on Tuesday that his party is poised for a decisive victory in the upcoming local body elections, despite what he termed as the “unstinted use” of government machinery by rival political forces.
Addressing the media in Quetta, Wasi confidently predicted that JUI candidates would secure key positions, including those of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Town Chairman. He asserted that the party’s support on the ground remains solid and will overcome any administrative advantage wielded against them.
The senator launched a sharp critique of the provincial government, alleging that “political engineering” similar to what he claimed occurred in the general elections—specifically pointing to constituencies PB-7 and PB-45—is being attempted once again. “Robbery of the people’s mandate is not acceptable in any way,” Wasi stated emphatically.
He accused the government of activating state machinery only to protect its own “positions and interests,” rather than ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process. Issuing a stern warning, Maulana Abdul Wasi said that JUI workers would not remain silent spectators. “If any illegal, unfair, or suspicious move is attempted, JUI workers will come forward as a strong wall and will resist vigorously to protect the people’s right to vote,” he vowed.
The strong statement from the JUI Balochistan chief signals heightened political tensions in the province as local elections approach. It frames the contest not just as a political battle, but as a struggle against alleged systemic manipulation, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive and potentially contentious electoral period.
Meanwhile in a move underscoring a commitment to public engagement and ground-level security assessment, the Inspector General (IG) of Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan (North) conducted a surprise visit to Zhob Bazaar on Tuesday.
The senior security official engaged in informal, direct interactions with local citizens and members of the business community during the walk. The visit aimed to personally assess the security environment and listen to the concerns and issues faced by residents and shopkeepers firsthand.
Local citizens and traders expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Pakistan Army and FC Balochistan in maintaining peace and stability in the region. They noted their happiness at seeing the senior commander interacting directly with them in the market, a gesture they viewed as a positive step toward strengthening civil-military relations.
“The IG’s presence among us shows a genuine concern for our well-being. It is reassuring to see such high-level engagement,” shared a local shopkeeper.
