Terror poses serious threat to elections in KP, Balochistan
As the elections get closer, the question that everyone appeared to be ignoring has come up: will the militants let the elections happen smoothly? The interior ministry has underlined a ‘significant’ threat, which includes groups ranging from Jandullah to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). With the elected governments now dismissed, it is the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the caretaker setups and the security agencies that must attempt to temper the problem that empowered civilian governments could not solve. There are two key problem provinces: Balochistan and Khyber Pakhthunkhwa (KP) with each facing a different set of threats.
Balochistan’s political mainstream has withdrawn from politics and turned to militancy. The 2008 elections were boycotted and while these will be better contested, with Akhtar Mengal announcing his intent to contest, Baloch nationalist groups continue to feel going into elections is to be a traitor to the Baloch cause. Coupled with the operation of rogue sectarian groups allied with the Taliban in Balochistan, it would be a miracle if an uneventful election could be organised in the troubled province.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa offers a different kettle of fish altogether. The TTP and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) are promising chaos, with the recent announcement that the so-called ‘peace talks’ have been called off. Bomb attacks and military operations continue to be order of the day in the beleaguered province and promising an incident-free election appears to be impossible. The TTP has also announced its full intent to target the three political parties still steadfast against them. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Awami National Party (ANP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have been specifically threatened.
The fact that there have been two Corps Commanders’ Committee meetings over the past 20 days appears to have signified the immense importance of maintaining security in the next two months. The role of security agencies shall now be critical. There needs to be better coordination between the ISI, MI, IB and other such agencies. The ECP is already conducting meetings on the security situation and visited Quetta on Thursday to get the low-down on Balochistan and meet Baloch leaders. It received a mixed response at best, which does not resound well for the future. If questions continue to be asked of the election in Balochistan, will it not fuel the Baloch nationalist rhetoric more? And will FATA and PATA, going into election for the first time in Pakistan’s history, be able to get their first elected representatives in government?
Elections may offer great hope but not without ensuring the full participation of competing groups in a society. The rising militancy poses a serious threat and it is hoped that the army and other law enforcement agencies can coordinate well to ensure that the election period passes smoothly.