Caretaker Interior Minister Malik Habib Khan on Saturday signalled the deployment of Pakistan Army at sensitive polling stations, if needed or situation goes out of control.
Talking to reporters at the ministry, Malik said that his ministry’s initial focus was to ensure law and order during the polls and to avert any unpleasant situation protecting lives of people.
The government, he said, would not tolerate a security lapse in maintaining peace in the country.
To a question, he mentioned that the police and law-enforcement agencies would be totally impartial during the election process and would not be permitted to favour any one.
He said, “In present conditions no negligence by any of the police or security institution could be tolerated or afforded, s whole the nation was having eyes upon us (Ministry of Interior).”
‘Foolproof security will be given to all candidates and key leaders and no compromise would be made on it,’ he added.
Khan said that display of arms would be strictly banned during the elections, however, he added, in some sensitive areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa keeping licenced weapons would be permitted.
No one would be permitted to display weapons within the precincts of the polling stations, He elaborated.
The ministry is ready to assist the provincial governments, conditional if they seek support from the ministry concerned, he added.
“We are giving them our professional input, in case of any clash at any polling stations, the smaller disgrace or insult to the military or police uniform could affect the morale of security forces, which the caretaker setup does not want to be happen,” Malik said.
Over delay of passports, he said that investigation was underway and soon action would be taken against those responsible.
Earlier, Malik chaired a meeting to review the law and order across the country. The provincial chief secretaries, inspector generals, Military Operations DG and heads of various intelligence agencies took part.