ISLAMABAD - Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has directed the Pakistan Army to provide assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan for free, fair and transparent conduct of the general elections.
Chairing the 211th Corps Commanders’ Conference in Rawalpindi, General Qamar Javed Bajwa directed that this national duty be performed with utmost responsibility and without losing any focus on defence and internal security challenges in hand.
According to the ISPR, the meeting also reviewed geo-strategic environment and recent security and other related developments in the region.
It was decided to continue positive efforts to carry forward dividends of achieved domestic peace and stability beyond borders to the region.
The progress of Operation Radul Fasaad and socio-economic development in cleared areas was also deliberated with commitment to achieve lasting peace and stability.
On Tuesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan sent a summary to the Ministry of Defence seeking deployment of army troops outside and inside of polling stations to ensure peaceful elections and deal with any untoward incident on polling day. General elections will be held on July 25.
An ECP press statement said that troops would be deployed at polling stations from 23rd to 26th of the next month for foolproof security.
Pakistan Army troops would also be deployed at Printing Corporation of Pakistan Press Islamabad, National Printing Security Company Karachi, and Pakistan Post Foundation Islamabad during printing and dispatch of ballot papers from 27th of this month to 26th of the next month.
Earlier this week, the caretaker government held a meeting to review security measures for the general elections by engaging military, paramilitary and law enforcement agencies.
Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk was briefed in detail by officials of the interior and defence ministries regarding security arrangements for the conduct of the upcoming polls.
Prior to this meeting, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on Prime Minister Mulk to discuss security matters in connection with the general elections.
A press statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office simply confirmed the caretaker PM’s meeting with the COAS but gave no further details.
This was second such meeting between the caretaker PM and the army chief in less than three weeks.
General Bajwa had earlier called on the caretaker PM on June 6.
OUR STAFF REPORTER