The upcoming elections in Quetta are not just a political event; they also represent a beacon of hope for its people. They are an opportunity to elect representatives who understand the city and are dedicated to addressing its pressing needs.

There are three National Assembly constituencies and nine Provincial Assembly constituencies in Quetta. As Quetta prepares for the polling day, the voters’ expectations, grounded in the reality of their daily struggles, are quite clear. From bustling markets to quiet residential lanes, the discourse revolves around fundamental issues that directly impact the citizens’ lives. One of the reasons why people have high hopes from general elections is that local government elections have not been held since 2013. The absence of elected local governments has crippled grassroots governance.

Frequent and long electricity and gas outages not only disrupt daily routines but also obstruct businesses.

Aslam Baloch, who runs a small grocery store, shares his distress with The News on Sunday: “Every day, we face power cuts for hours. It’s not just an inconvenience; it impacts our livelihood. How can we run businesses like this?”

Both electricity and gas come under the federal ambit so that the role of National Assembly members elected from Quetta is relevant to a resolution of the issue. “We hope to send the right person to the National Assembly to speak for our rights,” Baloch says.

Aisha Khatoon, a school teacher, mentions the challenges of urban living, particularly traffic congestion and the scarcity of safe drinking water. “The roads are always clogged, making it difficult to commute. When one is home, one constantly worries whether drinking water will be available,” she says. Her concerns are echoed by many who feel that municipal administration has long neglected these essential aspects of city management and abandoned Quetta to a water tanker mafia.

Security is another pressing issue. Sporadic violence and unrest have persisted. “We want to feel safe in our city,” says Baloch. “We would like to feel safe in Quetta; just like the good old times,“ he tells TNS.

The voter’s expectations from the elections cut across party lines. People are longing for practical solutions and looking for leaders who can deliver on their promises and bring about meaningful changes in the public services sector.

The sentiment is shared by young voters who are keenly aware of the issues at hand. University students and young professionals discuss the need for better job opportunities and economic growth which are directly tied to the resolution of the city’s basic issues.

In discussions at tea stalls, markets and homes, one can sense an urgency for change. The residents of Quetta want their votes to count. They hope that the elections will bring leaders who are not only aware of these problems but also committed to resolving these.

The writer, a journalist based in Islamabad, is a contributing writer for Nikkei Asia.

His X handle is @iAdnanAamir