ISLAMABAD (Daily Point) — As the February 8 elections approach, the Ministry of Interior submitted a proposal on Tuesday seeking approval from the caretaker federal cabinet for the deployment of armed forces during the upcoming polls.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has requested the deployment of 277,000 army personnel nationwide to ensure security and maintain law and order for the 126 million voters who will choose their representatives next month.
Amid concerns about security and safety, given the rise in terror-related incidents in 2023, political parties continue their election campaigns despite several violent attacks on candidates. Some politicians have expressed apprehensions about the law and order situation, with a few even urging the Senate to consider a delay in the polls.
Tragically, recent incidents include the killing of independent candidate Kaleemullah Khan in North Waziristan and the assassination of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Shah Khalid in Swabi. Other leaders, such as Aslam Buledi from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Mohsin Dawar from National Democratic Movement (NDM), and Lala Abdul Rasheed from National Party, along with Senator Kohda Akram Dashti, have also faced attacks this month.
In response to the precarious situation, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has established a high-level committee to oversee the security arrangements for the upcoming polls. The Pakistan Army has pledged to provide necessary military assistance for the general elections.
Approval of the Interior Ministry’s summary by the caretaker federal cabinet will lead to the deployment of Pakistan Army soldiers, along with Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel, for election duties. The decision to involve the army is driven by a shortage of security personnel, particularly evident in Punjab, the country’s election battleground, where there is a shortfall of 92,000 security personnel at polling stations. Additionally, Karachi Police is grappling with a shortage of 14,300 security personnel, including female officers.
