A file photo of PTI chief Imran Khan addressing a rally. PHOTO: QASIM USMAN
KARACHI: Following several demands by political parties to ensure law and order during by-polls for the NA-246 constituency, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has ordered the deployment of Rangers in and outside the polling stations on election day.
In a letter to the Ministry of Interior on Thursday, the ECP said that personnel of law enforcement agencies (LEA) will be conferred the powers of first class magistrate to have full authority on April 23, Express News reported.
Read: Altaf helped diffuse clashes between PTI, MQM workers: Imran
The commission also made it clear that it would not tolerate any sort unrest and would deal strictly with the perpetrators.
Pakistan Tehrik-e- Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, accompanied by his wife Reham Khan, attempted to visit the Muttahida Qoumi Movement (MQM) stronghold of Jinnah Ground in his first appearance in the city to support the campaign on Thursday.
Read: NA-246 by-election: Altaf says MQM will emerge as victor
However, a clash erupted between the supporters of the two parties as the rally approached the venue.
The MQM, however, denied that the clashes occurred in order to block Imran's entrance to the vicinity. The MQM also invited the PTI chief to Nine Zero and receive gifts for himself and his wife.
Earlier on Tuesday, the ECP sought a report from Sindh government after the PTI demanded deployment of the personnel and handing-over full control of the aforementioned constituency to ensure that the polls take place in a transparent manner.
Read: Jinnah Ground visit: Heckling fears won’t deter Imran
In her letter to the commission, PTI Vice President Naz Baloch drew the commission’s attention to the fact that their candidate Imran Ismail was attacked by the rival party during his election campaign. Moreover, leaders and workers of the party were being threatened with dire consequences if they continued the electoral campaign.
COMMENTS (8)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ