Pakistan - Troops being deployed in Balochistan’s poll sensitive areas

Over one thousand troops of Pakistan Army started moving to the poll sensitive areas from Quetta Cantonment here on Monday. The army convoy moved after Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani approved the proposal regarding deployment of army personnel at polling stations before May 11 during the Corps Commanders Conference. The troops left for the areas including Mastung, Khuzdar, Washuk, Kharan, Turbat, Panjgur, Gwadar, Dera Bugti, Kohlu and Noshki.  Their  movement would continue for two days. In view of security threats, federal and provincial governments had requested army to deploy their force at polling sensitive stations, so that election could  be held in a peaceful manner.The Balochistan government has made a strategy to hold free elections making three categories ahead of May 11. In sensitive areas, ballot papers and other electioneering staff would be transported through military helicopters and aircraft. 

“Besides police and Balochistan Constabulary men, some 17,000 personnel of army including Frontier Corps, and paramilitary force would be  deployed in volatile districts of the province,” Home Secretary Balochistan Akbar Hussain Durrani told media.    

In the face of threats by the banned organizations, Government Teachers Association (GTA) Balochistan chapter had already refused to perform duties at polling stations in eleven sensitive areas. However, the Home Secretary Balochistan had warned them, saying action against government employees reluctant to perform duties at polling station would be taken.