Pakistan election: Two blasts kill at least 30 people a day before voting begins

ITV News' Asia Correspondent Debi Edward reports on two blasts that claimed the lives of dozens just a day before Pakistan will elect its new prime minister

Two deadly blasts in Pakistan have killed at least 30 people and injured dozens more on Wednesday, a day before the country's parliamentary elections are to be held.

The first attack, which killed 18 people, happened at the office of an independent candidate in Pishin, a district in Balochistan province. More than 20 were injured with some in critical condition.

Just hours later, a bomb at the election office of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party in Qilla Saifullah in the same district left at least 12 people dead, local authorities said. At least eight people were injured.

Security officials examine the site of bomb blast in Khanozai, Pashin. Credit: AP

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The violence drew condemnation from almost all the political parties.

Tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces have since been deployed across Pakistan.

The bombings follow a recent surge in militant attacks in the country, especially in Baluchistan.

The outlawed Baluchistan Liberation Army has been behind multiple attacks on security forces in Baluchistan bordering Afghanistan and Iran.

Caretaker prime minister Anwaarul-Haq-Kakar denounced the attacks and conveyed his condolences to the families of those who died.

He vowed that “every attempt to sabotage the law and order situation will be thwarted" and said the government is committed to holding elections on Thursday in peace.

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