The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has expressed reservations over deployment of the paramilitary Rangers during the AJK general elections on July 21.
The AJK government has informed the federal government that it has objections over deployment of the Rangers, Frontier Constabulary and other paramilitary personnel in Azad Kashmir since the Rangers are under the control of the interior minister and could be used for rigging.
According to sources, the AJK government had requested the federal government to send army over during the elections in order to maintain law and order, but the AJK chief election commissioner has been informed by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar that army personnel would be available, but in limited number.
After consulting with the General Headquarters (GHQs), the interior minister informed AJK CEC Ghulam Mustafa Mughal that army personnel were busy in Operation Zarb-e-Azb and other anti-terror activities.
Ghulam Mughal had reportedly held a meeting with Chaudhry Nisar and requested him to deploy army and paramilitary forces for ensuring security during the July 21 elections.
