20% of Baloch population to stay out of polls

Twenty percent population of Balochistan would not be allowed to cast votes in the upcoming elections as they do not have their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) and are not enrolled in the voters’ lists, Pakistan People’s Party senator from Balochistan Sardar Fateh Mohammad Hassni told Pakistan Today on Saturday.
In an exclusive interview with Pakistan Today, Senator Hassni, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Port and Shipping, disclosed that the province’s 20 percent population, living mostly interior Balochistan, does not have their CNICs; due to which they do not have their names registered in the voters’ lists.
He said that the province is facing difficulties in getting its people registered, especially in Pahtun and Baloch areas, and therefore cannot even apply for their CNICs.
“However, this would not affect the upcoming polls because people living in the cities do have their CNICs. It is the people living in villages who are unregistered,” he said.
He added that there has been an immense improvement in the situation as many people are applying for their CNICs now.
“The situation was much serious earlier, which now has been redressed to a large extent,” he said.
“The government is trying to ensure, by including National Identity Card numbers into voters’ lists, that only those with genuine votes would be able to cast their ballots,” he said.
“Now, no one can cast multiple votes and claim that his or her vote is registered in four different places. This is impossible now,” he added.
He claimed that the upcoming general elections will not be delayed and the Pakistan People’s Party will win with an overwhelming majority as the party has delivered a lot in the province.
“We have ensured the supremacy of democracy. Everyone knows what happened in 1990; Asghar Khan Case has made everything public. The public will stand by our side in the upcoming elections and will help us win,” he maintained.
Agreeing that religious extremists and banned outfits are working in Balochistan, the PPP leader said that the rise in the incidents of sectarian and target killings in Balochistan reflect the presence of such elements in the province.
Condemning the killing of Hazara Shias, he said that the Quetta Hazara community is being victimized.
“We oppose the bloodshed and killing of innocent people. Balochis are peaceful people and want tranquility in the province,” he said.
He further said that the entire Baloch leadership will have to sit together and find a way out of Balochistan crises.
“When our people, politicians, establishment and government become united in their aims, only then can we find a solution to Balochistan’s issues,” he said.