The Army troops have been called out in Rawalpindi and Attock districts to maintain law and order during the second phase of local government elections on August 25. The Election Commission has declared both districts as sensitive.
Rawalpindi was declared sensitive following armed clash in Union Council 43 and registration of a murder and terrorism case against Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), MNA, Mohammad Hanif Abbasi. MMA, PPP and other opposition parties have demanded deployment of the army to avert any untoward incident.
Attock is sensitive following murder attempt on the lives of the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and ex district Nazim Major (Retd) Tahir Sadik Khan at Jafer, and murders of the PPP youth at Qutbal, Tehsil Fateh Jang during by-election of the National Assembly constituency. Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar has directed that army deployment in sensitive districts should be visible and in moving position.
District Police Officers (DPOs) have been warned against any untoward incident in any district on polling day.