The Punjab police will deploy 6,000 personnel in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) ahead of the June 7 election, as confirmed on Sunday. The initial approval for 5,000 personnel was later increased by 1,000. The move comes amid allegations of pre-poll rigging by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Deployment Details
According to a memo issued by the Punjab assistant inspector general (operations), the first 5,000 police personnel have been placed at the disposal of the Gilgit-Baltistan police for election security duties. The personnel will be equipped with anti-riot gear, and each bus transporting them will be escorted by four armed police officers. The motor transport department's senior superintendent of police will arrange transport, ensuring buses are in good condition and have valid fitness certificates. Drivers must be familiar with the terrain to GB. A subsequent memo added 1,000 more personnel for security arrangements during the elections.
PTI Allegations
On Sunday, the PTI alleged systematic pre-poll rigging ahead of the GB elections. PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram accused the federal government of engineering the rigging, stating that state resources were being misused to suppress democratic voices. The party condemned the GB Election Commission for issuing a notice to the mother of former chief minister Khalid Khursheed regarding campaign posters. Additionally, PTI claimed that commission officials threatened candidates to abandon PTI and join government-backed parties. The party also accused PML-N federal ministers, including Amir Muqam and Attaullah Tarar, of influencing the local administration, while PTI parliamentarians were prevented from entering GB. The PTI asserted that the election commission remained silent on violations by the ruling party while targeting PTI candidates.
Election Commission Response
GB Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan addressed a press conference, vowing no discrimination against any candidate or party. He emphasized strict compliance with the election code of conduct and warned that violations would not be tolerated. Action will be taken against any attempt to sabotage the election process, disturb law and order, or spread provocation. A monitoring mechanism has been implemented, with officers authorized to take immediate action on code of conduct violations. Without naming anyone, he cautioned that some elements were trying to influence the election process and spread chaos, which violates the election code and the Pakistan Penal Code.
