General elections in Pakistan today, 28 killed in explosion in Balochistan, border with Iran and Afghanistan closed

Pakistan has sealed the international border with Afghanistan and Iran just before the general elections to be held today. During this period, neither goods carriers nor pedestrians will be able to go or come. Pakistan Army has done this keeping in mind the security in the elections. Along with this, the security cover of the leaders has also been increased. However, the border with Iran was also opened last month, when both countries were firing missiles at each other.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran will remain closed for both cargo and pedestrian traffic to ensure complete security during the general elections to be held in Pakistan on February 8, 2024. Normal operations at the borders will begin again on February 9. About 128 million voters will cast their ballots on Thursday to elect members of the National Assembly and four provincial assemblies.

A day before elections in Pakistan, 28 people were killed and more than 40 others injured in two separate blasts targeting candidates in Balochistan. The first attack took place outside the office of an independent candidate in Pishin district, about 50 km from Quetta city.

The second blast took place outside the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazal) office in Qila Saifullah district. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The blasts came a day after nine grenade attacks targeted election offices of candidates in different areas of Makran division and Quetta.