Army will assist ECP strictly within the bounds of given mandate: Gen Qamar

ISPR says COAS visited Army Elections Support Centre, Rawalpindi

Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the Army Elections Support Centre in Rawalpindi, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement issued on Thursday.

"COAS was given detailed briefing about plan for provision of assistance to ECP for free, fair and transparent conduct of General Elections 18," the military's media wing added.

Gen Qamar directed, the ISPR said, that Army shall assist ECP strictly within the bounds of given mandate and as per ECP Code of conduct".

"COAS said that working in synchronisation with other elements of security apparatus, all efforts be put in to ensure secure and safe environment enabling people of Pakistan to freely exercise their democratic right."



Earlier today, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor apprised the Senate Standing Committee on Interior that 371,000 army personnel will be deployed for the election duty.

Briefing the standing committee on security arrangements for the upcoming polls, Maj Gen Ghafoor said that Pakistan Army is also providing security to printing presses where the ballot papers are being prepared.

The DG reiterated that Army had no direct role in the upcoming elections.