[Today’s Prayer] Pakistan, at least 30 people killed in bombing on the eve of general election… Three days of mourning declared
On the 7th (local time), a day before the general election, bombs exploded at two candidate campaign offices in southwestern Pakistan, killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 24.
According to the Associated Press, the first bomb attack occurred at the election office of an independent candidate in Pasin district, Balochistan, killing at least 18 people, a local government official said.
Shortly thereafter, another bombing occurred at the election office of a candidate from the Islamic political faction Jamiat Ulema Islamist Party in the Qila Saifullah region, killing at least 12 people.
Pakistan's interim Prime Minister Anwarul Haqqakar condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of those killed. “Any attempt to disrupt the environment of respect for law and order will be thwarted,” he said, adding that the Pakistani government was committed to holding elections peacefully on Thursday (8th).
A spokesman for the Balochistan provincial government announced three days of mourning but emphasized that "elections will be held on the 8th as scheduled and we urge people to exercise their right to vote to defeat those who want to postpone the elections."
(Omitted)
The gas-rich Balochistan province, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, has been the site of insurgency by Baluch nationalists seeking independence for more than 20 years. Baluch nationalists generally attack security forces rather than civilians or political targets in the area. They have been pointed out as being behind several attacks on security forces.
Violence in the lead-up to elections and on voting day is a common occurrence in Pakistan, where the country is struggling to contain militants, the AP said. Tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed across the country following a recent surge in attacks, especially in Balochistan. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing on the 7th.
The Pakistan Taliban (TTP), an anti-government armed group that has been demanding autonomy in Balochistan province, has promised not to attack election-related rallies ahead of the vote, but it remains powerful in Balochistan along with other armed groups and has been targeting civilians in recent years.
“The attacks in Balochistan province, where low-intensity riots and a variety of militants exist, have raised concerns about the general election from Western allies,” the AP said. “Many voters there are already reeling from political discord and an intractable economic crisis. I am feeling disillusioned because of this,” he said.
“We cannot rule out the possibility of more violence on election day,” said Abdullah Khan, a researcher at the Pakistan Conflict and Security Institute. He said multiple groups could be behind the bombings, including the Pakistan Taliban, IS, Baluch nationalists or smaller groups within Al Qaeda.
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.(Romans 13:1-4).
Lord, we hear that on the eve of Pakistan's general elections, numerous deaths occurred in Balochistan Province, and that on the day of the elections, armed men attacked a polling station, resulting in eight deaths.
In Pakistan, we see repeated unfortunate events in which dozens of people are killed and seriously injured due to large-scale bombings at every general election.
Lord, the only ruler of Pakistan is Jehovah God. Please sit on this land as king and rule alone with Your goodness and might.
All power in the world belongs to the Lord, and all sovereignty in Pakistan also belongs to the Lord. Let the Prime Minister of Pakistan no longer lead the country for his own benefit, but rise up as someone who gives Pakistan to the Lord only for the sake of the Lord's kingdom and its glory.
At this time of economic crisis and political turmoil, please appoint as Prime Minister a servant of the Lord so that he may know the heart of God who loves Pakistan more than anyone else, and pour wisdom and anointing upon him so that he can lead this country according to Your word.
We want to see Pakistan, which has been politically divided as they take each other's lives and unable to become one, be united only through Jesus Christ.
So, may we soon see the day when all the peoples of Pakistan become one in the hope of heaven, look forward to the day of the Lord's coming, and prepare the way.
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