Caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister Alauddin Marri has said the Pakistan Army will be called in in highly sensitive areas of Balochistan during upcoming general elections.
According to details received by The Balochistan Post, the caretaker CM said, “The interim government has been utilizing its utmost efforts to ensure peace during the upcoming elections and provide a conducive environment for the people of Balochistan to elect their representatives.”
The announcement comes at a time when Baloch armed groups have escalated their attacks on election offices and candidates. The leaders of these armed organisations have called for a complete boycott of elections, which they term as staged selections with no legal justification.
Yesterday, the spokesman, Jeehand Baloch, of armed group BLA, claimed responsibility for an attack on Pakistani election offices, that was carried out on Sunday in Kharan.
In Buleda, house of an election candidate, Zahoor Buledi, was attacked with rocket propelled grenades. The responsibility was claimed by BLF.
The Chief Minister said: “The Pakistan Army troops will be deployed in 40% to 50% areas where the law and order situation is not that good.”
To questions regarding delay in holding elections in Balochistan, the caretaker CM said, “The interim set-up in Balochistan is focusing on elections and there shouldn’t be any doubt about holding elections on time as the people will elect their representatives on the date announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.”