Pakistan Elections State Authorities 'Harassing' Khan Party Workers

For months, police have blocked Arsalan Hafeez from entering the Pakistani constituency where he will be standing for election this week. Since he put himself forward as the candidate for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the political party led by Pakistan's now incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, Hafeez alleges that the state's machinery has done everything to prevent him from contesting his district of Narowal in the state of Punjab.

- Hannah Ellis-Petersen Shah Meer Baloch

He claims police checkpoints have repeatedly blocked his entry and all attempts to campaign and hold rallies. Even attempts to talk to potential voters have been obstructed, he says. He has also accused the police of attempting to intimidate him and his family.

"We have been harassed constantly by police, many of my workers arrested for trying to campaign, and I can't even go into my constituency," said Hafeez.

"They have also registered many false cases against me. They are going after me like a criminal when all I am trying to do is freely fight an election." The parliamentary elections open against a backdrop of a crackdown on the PTI and rising militant attacks. Yesterday at least 30 people were killed when bombs ripped through two political offices in the restive south-western state of Baluchistan. Violence at election time is common in Pakistan, which has struggled to rein in various militant groups.

Hafeez's case is not unique. Since violent protests erupted last May, leaders and workers of PTI have alleged a campaign of intimidation and arrests designed to debilitate the party. Fourteen PTI candidates will be running from jail today.