Troops deployed at Karachi for election security

Hundreds of troops were deployed in several sensitive areas of Karachi on Friday as part of Pakistan Army plan to deploy nearly 70‚000 troops for election-related duties.

The Election Commission of Pakistan had sought army’s help in aid of the authorities to ensure peaceful and smooth polling on May 11.

Army sources said that troops will be deployed in areas mentioned by the Election Commission. They said that around 3000 soldiers are being deployed in Karachi in the coming days.

Several parties had also demanded troops deployment of troops in Karachi as they had serious concerns about rigging.

Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani said this week that the army will help in fair and peaceful elections. He had personally given assurance to the Chief Election Commissioner.

Army spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa says that the armed forces have been called upon to act in aid of the civil power under constitutional provision. He says that the duty includes security and maintenance peace and order, the military spokesman said Thursday.

Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said responsibilities assigned to the Army include provision of security for printing presses where ballot papers are being printed; safe transportation of ballot papers and election material to election officers and Polling Stations and maintenance of law and order.

He said printing of ballot papers has been continuing since April 19 and troops are guarding premises of the printing presses concerned.

He said deployment of army in the restive southwestern Balochistan province would be completed by Thursday night while deployment in southern Sindh including its capital Karachi would begin on Friday.

Movement of troops for deployment in Punjab would begin tomorrow while deployment in the violence-hit northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is underway and would be completed soon.

Replying to a question the Major General Asim Bajwa said police and paramilitary forces would guard polling stations on the polling day while Quick Response Force of Pakistan Army would remain on standby for assistance.

He said a comprehensive security plan is in place and arrangements have also been made for deployment heli-borne units of Quick Response Force to respond to any eventuality.

The Director General said 50 helicopters would also be used for election related duties and surveillance purposes.

Asked about security arrangements in militants-infested tribal regions‚ general Bajwa said troops are already there and plans have been finalized to ensure security on election day.

The army spokesman appealed to the media to cooperate in sharing of sensitive information‚ if any‚ for prompt action by the authorities concerned.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=40106

Posted by Tahir Khan on May 3 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.