ISLAMABAD: Just eight days ahead of the general elections in Pakistan, the country’s electoral body has called a meeting on February 1 (tomorrow) to address the deteriorating law and order situation in two provinces – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The meeting will include the interior minister, interior secretary, chief secretaries of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), provincial police chiefs, and intelligence agency officials.
The development follows the recent killing of an independent candidate for the national assembly from KP’s Bajaur district and two terror incidents reported in Balochistan. According to the police, Rehan Zeb Khan was campaigning in the area when unidentified armed men opened fire on his vehicle. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
On Sunday, an independent candidate for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly from Bannu, Malik Shah Muhammad Khan had, survived a bomb blast outside his residence. However, two people were injured in the blast.
Pakistan Army Vows to Safeguard Elections Against Violence
Meanwhile, the military’s top brass has asserted that no one will be allowed to “indulge in violence in the name of political activity” and “sabotage” the elections.
The Corps Commanders’ Conference stated that the Pakistan Army will assist the ECP in ensuring peaceful elections, and any violence will be dealt with firmly.
