By Muhammad Usman
ISLAMABAD: The defence ministry has excused from providing security for the elections of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies and the by-elections of 93 National Assembly (NA) constituencies.
Response from the ministry of defence came after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) requested the interior ministry to seek assistance from the forces to provide security cover during the elections.
In its letter to the ministry of interior, the ministry of defence apologised it couldn’t provide the static deployment of Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) for the upcoming by-elections, as, according to them, the deployment of the forces was not feasible.
Defense ministry stance
The defense ministry told the interior secretary that the forces and civil armed forces were currently engaged in the border management and internal security. It cited the threats of terrorism in the Pakistan and added that the armed forces could be engaged in the census process from February 27 to April 3 this year. However, it said the Punjab Rangers could be available as the Quick Response Force during the elections.
On the other hand, replying to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s letter, ministry of finance has asked the election-conducting authority to postpone its demand for the funds in the broader national interest. The ministry of finance has requested the election commission to delay its request for the grant until the economic situation of the country improves.
Over the previous couple of days, the police officers of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab have also apprised the ECP of their inability to assist the election commission in the upcoming elections following the dissolution of the two provincials assemblies.
“It can’t be presumed the next elections could be completely peaceful,” Inspector-General of KP Police Moazzam Jah Ansari had said in a meeting regarding elections in the province. Ansari said that assistance of the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps could be required.
Punjab IG Dr Usman Anwar told CEC Raja during the meeting at the ECP about the challenges of conducting elections amid growing threats of terrorism in the Punjab. “The police operation is in progress in South Punjab’s rural areas and other districts of the province that could be completed in four to five months. It could be a difficult task to conduct elections until the operation is concluded,” he said while highlighting the threats of increasing terrorism in the province.
