Minister for Interior, Malik Mohammad Habib Khan on Tuesday said that the government will ensure security across the board as per constitution and the guidelines set by the Election Commission for holding fair and free elections.
The Minister said this while visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he updated ambassadors, high commissioners and diplomats on the security plan for conducting upcoming general elections.
He said that he has visited all provinces and met stakeholders and found political leadership enthusiastic for participating in elections, and that the security forces have a high morale. "We as interim set-up are here to ensure security for process of elections so that the transfer of power to the elected representatives takes place within the prescribed period as in the constitution," he added.
Malik said that the enthusiasm as well as tolerance displayed by all political parties, particularly the MQM, ANP and PPPP, those in last few weeks were under attack by militants suffered losses of lives and property. He said that Ministry of Interior is providing comprehensive security to the ECP and implementing their guidelines in close co-ordination with provincial governments.
The mission of the ministry is to fully assist the ECP in holding free and fair election by providing effective security during election so that no untoward incident takes place and the democratic process and smooth transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people is ensured, Malik added. He said that Ministry of Interior has established National Election Security Center in National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) which is functioning round the clock.
"We will hold elections under all circumstances. The whole nation is fully prepared to participate in the elections and the law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to frustrate nefarious designs of the undesired elements," he said. The ambassadors, high commissioners and diplomats appreciated the detailed and comprehensive briefing on the security plan for upcoming elections on May 11.-PR