The government on Thursday denied the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) request for troops’ deployment during the provincial assembly elections in Punjab and KP, as well as by-elections on over 60 National Assembly seats.
The Interior Ministry said the armed forces would not be able to perform poll duties as they were busy with conducting census and counter-terrorism activities.
It further said the decision was taken due to an increase in terror activities.
Over the past few months, the law and order situation of the country has deteriorated.
Earlier this month, a blast targeting a mosque inside a police compound claimed over 60 lives. Banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for one of the deadliest blasts in the city.
Last month a police station in Peshawar was also targeted, resulting in three deaths. Meanwhile, the day after the deadly Peshawar attack, Punjab police thwarted an attack on a police station in Mianwali.
