Pakistan Closes Borders with Iran, Afghanistan to Secure Voting

Pakistan temporarily closed its borders with Iran and Afghanistan and suspended mobile phone services across the country to maintain law and order as voting began in a general election that has been preceded by militant attacks.

“To ensure full security during the general elections to be held in Pakistan on 8 Feb 2024, border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran, would remain closed both for cargo and pedestrians,” the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

It said that “normal operations” will resume on February 9. 

Thousands of troops were also deployed at polling stations across Pakistan for the elections, which are being held a day after two explosions near electoral candidates' offices in the southwestern province of Balochistan claimed the lives of 26 people. The extremist group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

The elections are also taking place amid a deep economic crisis and in a highly polarized political environment.

Despite tightened security, four policemen were killed on election day in a bomb blast and firing targeting a police patrol in Pakistan’s northwest, according to a local police chief.

About 40 kilometers to the north, one person was reportedly killed when gunmen opened fire on a security forces vehicle.

And a candidate from North Waziristan, also in northwestern Pakistan, said that local "Taliban" had taken over some polling stations in his constituency and were threatening polling staff and locals.

Grenade attacks were also reported in different parts of Balochistan, causing no casualties.

The move to suspend mobile networks sparked criticism from leaders of opposition parties and some voters.

The main election contests are expected to be between candidates backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the previous national election, and the Pakistan Muslim League of three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, who is considered the front-runner.

Analysts say there may be no clear winner.