The
suicide attack today in Balochistan's Mastung district killed at least
85 people and injured 120 more. Tragically, this was just the latest in a
series of attacks targeting electoral campaign events across Pakistan
in the run-up to the general elections on 25 July 2018. We express our
sincere condolences to the victims' families and to the people of
Pakistan and to the Pakistani authorities. A full investigation into
these attacks is needed; furthermore, we expect the Pakistani
authorities to take all the necessary steps to ensure that electoral
activities in all parts of the country take place in safe and secure
conditions. Political contestants and citizens must be able to exercise
their constitutional rights to participate in the forthcoming general
elections without intimidation or fear for their security. The European
Union has deployed an Election Observation Mission to Pakistan to assess
the process and conduct of the elections.