MASTUNG: The Balochistan government on Saturday announced a two-day mourning period across the province in light of the recent bomb blast in Mastung that claimed 129 lives including Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) candidate and former Balochistan chief minister (CM) Aslam Raisani’s younger brother Nawabzada Siraj Raisani.
All offices and schools remained closed on Saturday, while the national flag was flown half-mast at government buildings.
On the other hand, a one-day mourning period will also be observed across the entire country.
Earlier on Friday, Balochistan witnessed a bloodbath when a suicide bomber, carrying at least 15kg of explosives, struck a Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) election rally in Mastung, martyring PB-35 candidate Siraj and 128others.
The toll is expected to rise as several of those injured are stated to be in critical condition.
The ultraviolent Islamic State (IS) or Daish terror outfit claimed responsibility for the deadly attack in a short statement.
As per Election Act 2017, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed polling for the PB-35 constituency.
The Clause 73 (1) of the Elections Act 2017 states that “if a contesting candidate dies before the commencement of the polls or during polling hours, the returning officer shall, by public notice, terminate proceedings relating to the elections”.
BAP was formed in March this year after the ouster of the PML-N-led coalition government in Balochistan.
Siraj had merged his own party, the Balochistan Muttahida Mahaz (BMM), with BAP in June.
Siraj’s teenage son, Akmal Raisani, had also been killed in an attack during a football match in the same district in 2011.
