QUETTA: A senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader has petitioned the court to postpone the upcoming local government elections in Quetta, citing severe cold weather as a threat to the electoral process and public safety.
Haji Ali Madad Jatak, a PPP member of the Balochistan Assembly, stated in a public announcement that the extreme winter conditions in the provincial capital are severely disrupting daily life. He argued that holding elections now would impose undue hardship on polling staff, security personnel, and voters.
“The severity of the weather in Quetta is badly affecting normal life,” Jatak said. “In such circumstances, people face severe difficulties. Many residents have even shifted to other provinces.” He expressed concern that voter turnout would be critically low, undermining the democratic exercise.
Jatak emphasized that while the PPP firmly supports the local government system as the “foundation of democracy,” the welfare of citizens must be the top priority. “The life and health of the people should be the first priority,” he stated. He advocates for the polls to be held after the eight-month winter period concludes, allowing people to vote “without fear, danger, and with ease.”
His petition, now before the court, seeks a revised election schedule aligned with Quetta’s harsh climate. Jatak urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to consider these ground realities before proceeding. He concluded by affirming that the PPP would support any “transparent, fair, and people-friendly” decision made in the public interest, even if it involves a delay.
Meanwhile the Punjab government informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that upcoming local government elections in the province will be conducted on a party-based system, allowing political parties to issue tickets to their candidates.
Furthermore, the submission was made during the hearing of multiple petitions challenging the Punjab Local Government Act, 2025. The proceedings were conducted before Justice Sultan Tanveer Ahmed, where the Punjab Assistant Advocate General appeared on behalf of the provincial government.
