The Ministry of Defense has declined a request from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to provide security for the upcoming by-elections in 93 constituencies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and the National Assembly. The Ministry stated that the deployment of the armed forces is not feasible as they are currently engaged in border management and internal security management, and the threat of terrorism is on the rise.
However, the Punjab Rangers will be available as a Quick Response Force during the elections. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has asked the ECP to delay its demand for an additional grant until the country’s economic situation improves.
Inspectors General of Police from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have informed the ECP of the security challenges during the upcoming elections in the wake of the dissolution of the two provincial assemblies. The KP IG stated that there is a shortfall of 57,000 police personnel and the assistance of the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps will be necessary.
The Punjab IG highlighted the increasing threats of terrorism in the province and noted that it will be a difficult task to conduct the elections until a police operation in South Punjab’s rural areas and other districts of the province is completed in four to five months. He added that the services of the Pakistan Army and Rangers will be needed to meet the shortfall of police personnel, which is estimated to be 300,000.
