The Defense Ministry distant itself for not providing security for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provincial assembly elections and by-elections in 93 National Assembly constituencies.
The defense ministry responded after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) asked the Interior Ministry to seek help from the armed forces to provide security cover during the election period.
In a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Defense apologized for not being able to provide static deployment of Rangers and Border Force for the upcoming snap elections because, they said, the armed forces could not be deployed.
The Ministry of Defense informed the Home Minister that the armed and civilian armed forces are currently engaged in border and internal security management. The Ministry stated that the threat of terrorism in the country is increasing. In addition, it is reported that the armed forces will conduct the census from February 27 to April 3 of this year. But during these election periods, Punjab Rangers will quickly respond.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Finance, in its response to the ECP letter, had asked the electoral body to delay the request for additional funding in the name of wider national interests. Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance has asked the Election Commission to postpone applying for grants until the state’s economic situation improves.
