In a crucial move aimed at ensuring the safety and peaceful conduct of the upcoming February 8 general elections, the caretaker federal cabinet of Pakistan has given the green light for the deployment of the Pakistan Army and civil armed forces. The decision was made during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar in Islamabad.
The decision to deploy security personnel comes in the wake of a recent surge in terrorism incidents across the country. Earlier this month, an independent candidate fell victim to a fatal gun attack in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, underscoring the heightened security concerns leading up to the polls.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the deployment has been approved based on the recommendation of the interior ministry. The security forces are tasked with ensuring the safety of sensitive constituencies and polling stations, in addition to serving as a rapid response force.
This development follows the establishment of a seven-member committee by Prime Minister Kakar to oversee the smooth conduct of the upcoming elections, including security arrangements. Despite recent threat alerts, interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi emphasized that the general elections would proceed as scheduled on February 8, citing the successful conduct of elections in the face of security challenges in the past.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, during a meeting to review preparations for the polls, received assurances that all necessary arrangements were in place to handle any potential disruptions to the law and order situation during the elections.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province until February 12, citing threats to the law and order situation. The directive, issued by Punjab Home Department Secretary Shakeel Ahmed, prohibits the display of weapons (except those by law enforcement agencies), all forms of firing, and violations of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s code of conduct. The move is aimed at preventing potential conflicts between competing candidates and political parties in the lead-up to the elections.
