Says it would come in for assistance if required, ECP official says decision yet to be taken. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
Caretaker Minister for Interior Malik Mohammad Habib Khan said on Thursday that the army will only be used as a Quick Response Force (QRF) in the elections. It would come in for the assistance of the local police and civil armed forces if required.
“Army would be used only when local police and Federal Civil Armed Forces (FCAF) fail to cope with law and order situation at any given location,” said the caretaker interior minister.
Earlier, while planning security for elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided that army would be deployed at certain polling stations declared sensitive, particularly those in Karachi and Quetta while it would be kept in reserve at others.
The Chief Election Commissioner had told reporters that both the army chief and the interim prime minister had given complete support in this regard.
However, a security official wishing anonymity told The Express Tribune that a decision on the deployment of the army was yet to be taken. “It would be an integrated decision taken with the consent of all, including the interior ministry and the ECP,” the official added.
The security official said that the ECP was asked to provide specific details on sensitive and the most-sensitive polling stations. The commission only shared a general list of polling stations with the army, he added. Security situation would be analysed in light of the ECP’s recommendations and decision to deploy the army would be taken accordingly, the official said.
Khan said that he would soon visit provinces and hold meetings with chief ministers besides Law Enforcement Agencies’ heads to prepare a strategy to ensure trouble-free elections.
Change in bureaucracy
The interim interior minister said that the government has approved all his proposals regarding transfers of present Director General Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Director General Immigration and Passport, Inspector General of Police, ICT and National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and new officers of sound integrity and professional competence are being posted in public interest and good governance.
Sources in the interior ministry said Captain (Retd) Zafar Iqbal was appointed as new Inspector General of Police Islamabad; Director General FIA Anwar Warraich was transferred to head NACTA while additional secretary Interior Saud Mirza was appointed new DG FIA. Notifications of these transfers were issued by the Prime Minister, the sources added.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2013.
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