Current:Home > reviewsPakistani Taliban pledge not to attack election rallies ahead of Feb. 8 vote -MacroWatch
Pakistani Taliban pledge not to attack election rallies ahead of Feb. 8 vote
View
Date:2025-04-15 18:26:51
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Pakistani Taliban pledged Thursday not to attack election rallies, saying their targets are limited to the military and security forces, as political parties and independent candidates ramp up their campaigns ahead of the Feb. 8 vote.
“We have nothing to do with these elections and the parties participating in them,” the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, said in a statement.
Other militant groups have not made similar pledges, and some previous Pakistani elections have been marred by violence. Two-time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in a bomb attack in 2007 minutes after she addressed an election rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Her son, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, is leading the campaign for her Pakistan People’s Party.
Thursday’s rare pledge by the TTP came after the government approved the deployment of troops in sensitive constituencies after intelligence agencies warned that militants could target rallies, which are usually held outdoors in public places.
The TTP are a separate group but a close ally of the Afghan Taliban, which seized power in neighboring Afghanistan in August 2021. Pakistan has experienced many militant attacks in recent years, but there has been an increase since November 2022, when the TTP ended a monthslong cease-fire with the government.
In 2023, nearly 500 civilians and a similar number of security forces were killed in militant attacks clamed by the TTP, the Islamic State group and other insurgents. Most of the violence in 2023 was reported in the northwest and southwest near Afghanistan.
The increase in violence has raised fears among political candidates.
Last week, the Pakistan Muslim League party of former three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched its election campaign with a rally in Punjab province. Analysts say it is likely to win many parliament seats and may be able to form a new government.
Election officials have rejected the candidacies of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and most members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 but remains a leading political figure despite his conviction in a graft case. Election officials barred Khan from the ballot because of the conviction.
Some lawmakers in the Senate wanted a delay in the vote because of winter and security reasons, but election officials rejected the request. All of the parties also opposed any delay in the vote.
Authorities shut some universities in Islamabad this week without any explanation, but media reports said it was for security reasons.
veryGood! (74)
Related
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Deion Sanders takes show to Nebraska: `Whether you like it or not, you want to see it'
- The War on Drugs announces a live album ahead of its tour with The National
- Kendall Jenner Ditches Her Signature Style for Bold Haircut in Calvin Klein Campaign
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- NFL power rankings Week 1: Champion Chiefs in top spot but shuffle occurs behind them
- Jesse Metcalfe Reveals Status of John Tucker Must Die Friendships Ahead of Sequel
- Nebraska Supreme Court will hear lawsuit challenging measure to expand abortion rights
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- WNBA rookie power rankings: Caitlin Clark just about clinches Rookie of the Year
Ranking
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- 2 Phoenix officers shot, 1 in critical condition, police say; suspect in custody
- Hunter Biden’s tax trial carries less political weight but heavy emotional toll for the president
- Nordstrom family offers to take department store private for $3.76 billion with Mexican retail group
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- US wheelchair basketball team blows out France, advances to semis
- US job openings fall as demand for workers weakens
- A woman and her 3 children were found shot to death in a car in Utah
Recommendation
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Small plane reported ‘controllability’ issues before crashing in Oregon, killing 3, officials say
Will Tiffani Thiessen’s Kids follow in Her Actor Footsteps? The Saved by the Bell Star Says…
Illinois law banning concealed carry on public transit is unconstitutional, judge rules
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Bachelorette’s Jenn Tran Details Her Next Chapter After Split From Devin Strader
Katy Perry Explains What Led to Her Year-Long Split From Orlando Bloom and How It Saved Her Life
Travis Kelce Details Buying Racehorse Sharing Taylor Swift’s Name