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Islamabad, March 15 (PTI) Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense has informed the Election Commission that the country’s army considers border security as its first priority and due to the “current situation” in the country, it will not be deputed on duty in the an upcoming state. There will be no elections.
The Election Commission of Pakistan held a meeting with the chief officials of the Punjab province and the Secretary and Additional Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defense to discuss the issue of security in the elections.
Elections are to be held in Pakistan’s Punjab province on April 30, while in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the governor has proposed holding provincial elections on May 28.
A delegation from his ministry led by Defense Secretary Lt Gen (Retd) Hamood Uzman Khan participated in the meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.
The commission said in a press statement on Tuesday, “He said that the army gives importance to its basic duties where the security of borders and the country is its first priority. He said the army is currently not available for electoral duty due to the current situation in the country.
The defense secretary said it will ultimately be the government’s decision whether it wants to limit the army to its primary responsibilities or use it for other tasks such as election duty.
“He also explained that in the case of election duty, the army can be used as a quick response force but it is not possible to carry out the duty in a static manner,” according to the statement.
Ministry of Defense officials said the current economic condition of the country is also affecting the military.
Military personnel have traditionally played a key role in maintaining peace during elections.
However, attacks by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants have increased in the past few months, forcing the army to adjust the deployment of troops.
Without soldiers, it would be difficult to maintain law and order during elections.
Bhasha Vaibhav Manisha
Manisha
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