The enthusiastic turnout of armed forces personnel and their families at the polling stations of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Saturday showed that democracy was no more a civilian-specific mindset.
The serving and retired army men along with their families made a prominent appearance at the polling stations, which most of them termed as a ‘vote for a developed Pakistan’.
“For the first time in my life, I am casting vote. The time to remain detached is over in hope for betterment,” said Brig (r) Khalid Khurshid, 55, at the polling station setup at a school in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) phase-II, for NA-49.
The retired army official said he had also brought his wife, a son and a daughter to poll their votes.
At the same polling station at Army Public School, a housewife, Wajiha, married to Major Atif Akbar appeared enthusiastic for casting vote for the first time.
“I have left home my two young children aged three and one-and-a-half to fulfill my national obligation,” she said.
The polling station at Govt Bandhara High School, Murree Brewery for NA-56 narrated the same story of zeal and spirit where the residents of Askari IV and Askari X casted their votes.
The polling station that falls next to the Army House attracted an immense turnout of the families of retired and serving army personnel.
Standing in long queues and following proper electoral procedure before putting their votes in green and white ballot boxes, these families with military background exhibited a pleasant spirit for being part of the democratic process.
A 75-year-old mother of Major (r) Jamil said she found herself energetic enough to join others for a vote for change. She pointed towards her grandson Sikandar who especially flew from Dubai to cast his vote in the NA-56 constituency.
Many army officials used the option of postal ballot, however, some deputed at their home stations turned up at the polling stations and polled votes.
