Election in Karachi: ECP, caretakers draft security plan

Minister to visit Balochistan, K-P to assess situation.

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government has sounded out an alarm over “serious security threats in Karachi” which are likely to cast a shadow over polls. The warning came during a meeting with the election commission on a draft security plan.

“We are receiving security threats and indicators for Karachi. I will visit Karachi to discuss the situation with all relevant authorities,” caretaker Interior Minister Malik Habib told reporters after a meeting with Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) officials.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) asked for provision of extra security measures on election day for all polling stations in the volatile neighbourhood of Lyari in Karachi.

Lyari has been plagued by violence, and in recent days it has endured repeated attacks against MQM workers.

“It is virtually impossible to enter Lyari so as to conduct an election campaign and other activities,” said Nabeel Gabol of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in a letter to the CEC.

The meeting with ECP officials was attended by Law and Justice Minister Ahmer Bilal Soofi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Arif Nizami and Information Technology Minister Sania Nishter.

In their meeting with ECP high-ups, the interim federal ministers shared their draft security plan and said it was decided that all relevant authorities, including the intelligence agencies and provincial governments, be taken into confidence before finalising the plan.

Habib said the security plan has already been drafted and it will be shared with all the relevant authorities in their April 25th meeting. He said after Karachi he would be visiting Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to upgrade the security framework.

Security for candidates

ECP officials reiterated the need for comprehensive security cover to all contesting candidates.

Election Commission Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed told media persons on this occasion that the commission had directed federal, provincial governments and concerned departments to provide security to candidates.

He said the poll commission has also proposed long-term measures for improving the law and order situation in the country. The ECP stressed devising a mechanism for providing security to not only contesting candidates but also people, he added.

He said there has been a ‘disconnect’ between the federal government and provincial governments. Similarly, there was a disconnect between the federal and provincial law enforcement agencies and intelligence officials to deal with such threats.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2013.