Pakistan election 2024 updates: Blasts at candidates’ offices, 24 killed

This live page is now closed.

You can read more about Thursday’s election here and to read more about what the polls mean for the country’s economy, you can access our story here.

Join us tomorrow at 6am local time (01:00 GMT) for live coverage of the elections. Polls will open at 8am local time (03:00 GMT) and we will bring you all the latest news and updates with our correspondents on the ground across Pakistan.

Until then, it’s goodbye from me and the entire team.

We will be closing this live page shortly. Here’s a recap of the day’s main events:

• At least 24 people were killed in two attacks on candidates’ political offices in Balochistan province, less than 24 hours before the country goes to the polls.
• Election Commission of Pakistan spokesperson says polling will still take place in the constituencies where the blasts took place.
• Pakistan’s political parties ended their campaigns on Tuesday evening as per election rules.

By Syed Ali Shah in Quetta, Balochistan

In Pakistan’s least populated province Balochistan, Imran Khan supporters are waiting anxiously to cast their vote in Thursday’s elections, in what many are calling one of the country’s most controversial in decades.

“We will take revenge from rulers through this vote”, Afzal Khan, a PTI supporter in Quetta, told Al Jazeera.

Nawaz Sharif is contesting only his second election in 20 years, but in Khan’s absence, is being considered an easy winner for a fourth stint as PM.

“I have lived in this area all my life,” Ali Akbar told Al Jazeera.

“I saw my grandfather, my father, all voting for Nawaz Sharif. And he has been good to us, to our city. Of course, I will vote for him,” the 36-year-old mechanic added.

By Syed Ali Shah in Quetta, Balochistan

Election fever in Balochistan has taken a hit following the twin attacks where more than 20 people were killed.

Nevertheless, residents say they will head to the polls on Thursday despite the threats.

“I will vote. Blasts cannot stop me,” Abdul Manan, a local trader in Quetta, told Al Jazeera.

“We will have a legitimate government after February 8,” said Muhmmad Ismail, another Quetta resident, who predicted the new government would bring the country out of the prevailing political and economic issues.

Shayan Bhatti is among hundreds of people praying inside the shrine of Ali al-Hajveri in Lahore, Pakistan’s second largest city and the capital of the country’s politically crucial Punjab province.

Dressed in a white shalwar kameez with a black shawl over his shoulder, Bhatti was at the shrine not only to pray for the wellbeing of his family but also for Imran Khan.

“He is my leader, and he has been unfairly jailed. His wife and his party people have also been jailed unfairly. I prayed for his success, for his freedom and for justice,” the 62-year-old told Al Jazeera.

Apr 9, 2022 – Pakistan’s political opposition topples Khan in a no-confidence vote in parliament. The opposition forms a new government, with Shehbaz Sharif sworn in days later.

May 9, 2023 – Khan arrested and dragged from court where he arrived to face charges in multiple corruption cases.

Aug 9, 2023 – The National Assembly, or lower house of parliament, is dissolved, a first step in the countdown to a new election.

Nov 2, 2023 – Pakistan’s Election Commission postpones parliamentary elections.

Jan 8, 2024 – The Supreme Court scraps a lifetime ban on politicians with criminal convictions from contesting elections, clearing the way for Nawaz Sharif to seek a fourth term in office.

Jan 30, 2024 – Former PM Khan sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of leaking state secrets by waving a confidential document during a political rally after his removal.

Jan 31 and Feb 3 – Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, sentenced to 14-year terms followed by another seven-year term.

Feb 7, 2024 – Twin blasts at election offices in Balochistan kill at least 22 people and wound more than two dozen.

The focus of this election is not only on addressing nearly two years of political instability but, crucially, on establishing a new, steadfast government that can stabilise an economy in crisis for Pakistan’s 241 million people.

Some 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, inflation has skyrocketed to more than 30 percent, and according to a poll released this week, about 70 percent of Pakistanis believe economic conditions are worsening.

Read our piece here on whether Pakistan’s new government will be able to bring economic stability.

The government has indicated it could suspend internet services on Thursday in light of security threats.

“No decision has been taken,” caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz said. “If such a request is made by a province or district, we will take a look at the nature of the threat.”

Internet activity in Pakistan has previously been suspended on several occasions during major events and episodes of civil unrest.

Separately, more than three dozen rights groups in a joint statement urged the caretaker government to provide “unfettered access to the internet, social media platforms, and all other communication channels” throughout the elections.

“As the people of Pakistan prepare to vote, authorities in Pakistan must adopt and prioritise measures that advance human rights, by enabling unrestricted access to information and avenues for freedom of expression, assembly, and association — both offline and online,” the statement said.

Amid a crackdown against it, former PM Khan’s party is resorting to tech-driven, unconventional campaigning strategies.

At a time when it is barred from even using its party symbol — the cricket bat — in the polls on Thursday, it is such digital tools that are helping the PTI compete in elections that many critics have described as unfair, even engineered.

Read more here on how Khan is fighting from jail.

Pakistan’s caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz has condemned the blasts in Balochistan, saying all measures will be taken to establish law and order for tomorrow’s elections.

“Miscreants want to spread chaos and prevent people from exercising their right to vote. We will not allow the evil intentions of the enemy to succeed at any cost. The terrorists’ attack on innocent citizens is a very cowardly act,” Ejaz said in a post on X.

More than 20 people have been killed so far in the twin blasts that took place in Pishin and Qila Saifullah, near the political offices of two candidates.