The summary requesting the deployment of the Pakistan Army and civil armed forces personnel to support civil institutions in conducting free, fair, and peaceful general elections on February 8 was approved by the acting federal cabinet on Tuesday.
The development occurred during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by acting prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, “the troops will perform duties in sensitive constituencies and polling stations and will also act as a rapid response force.”
The federal cabinet unanimously approved the deployment of Pakistan Army and civil armed forces personnel at crucial polling places across the nation during the election on the suggestion of the Ministry of Interior.
Speaking at the event, the acting prime minister praised the work being done by acting finance minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar to raise tax revenue, enhance the tax-to-GDP ratio, and make specific recommendations on the Federal Board of Revenue’s organizational structure.
He restated that suggestions for FBR reforms are welcomed by the administration.
In view of the cabinet members’ comments on the FBR reforms, PM Kakar also ordered the formation of an interministerial group to be overseen by the finance minister.
On the Ministry of National Health’s proposal, the cabinet authorized the establishment of a search committee to select the vice chancellor of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Medical University Islamabad.
The Economic Coordination Committee met on the 9th of this month, and decisions made during that meeting were also approved at the huddle.
In order to ensure security and peace and order throughout the nation, where 126 million voters will select their representatives next month, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) requested the deployment of 277,000 army personnel last month.
As 2023 closes in on one of the worst terror-related years since 2015, concerns over the safety and security of voters and candidates are a major factor surrounding the nation’s impending polls.
Political parties are still trying to win over voters during the election despite a number of violent incidents and attacks on candidates.
An independent candidate named Kaleemullah Khan was shot and killed in North Waziristan earlier this month. Khan was planning to run in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s PK-104 poll.
A few hours later, unknown assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on the car of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Shah Khalid, resulting in his death as well.
Some other figures have also faced criticism this month, such as Senator Kohda Akram Dashti, Lala Abdul Rasheed of the National Party, Aslam Buledi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Mohsin Dawar of the National Democratic Movement (NDM).
Because of the unstable state of affairs, the acting prime minister had also established a high-ranking commission to supervise election security.
The Pakistan Army, meantime, has promised to offer the required military support for the approaching general elections.It is important to note that soldiers from the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary (FC) would conduct electoral duties when the interim federal cabinet has approved the Interior Ministry’s brief.
