Under threat: Security sought for election candidates

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government on Monday requested the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to allow them to provide security to political figures facing direct threats from ‘anti-state elements’.

A notification issued by the Home and Tribal Affairs department said some political parties and figures were facing serious life threats and the provincial government has asked the ECP to allow them to provide security. It added police guards will be provided to contesting candidates.

“Those individuals to whom such security will be authorised, would be decided by a committee comprising commissioner of a division concerned, regional police officer, capital city police officer and member of the intelligences agencies,” read the notification.

Earlier, the provincial government asked the divisional administration and police to hold meetings with candidates and leading politicians and forward names for verification so that they may be provided security.

Political figures, especially those belonging to the Awami National Party (ANP), have come under repeated attacks by the militants. ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has requested the ECP chief to provide them with adequate security so they can launch their election campaign.

Meanwhile, the Sindh government has decided to provide five security personnel to each candidate during their election campaign. The announcement came last Friday, a day after the killing of Muttahida Qaumi Movement candidate Justice Alavi in Hyderabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2013.