In a report submitted to the Supreme Court, the Defence Ministry has feared all the worst-case scenarios if general elections are held on May 14 in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies, including an all-out war with India, threats from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and IS fighters returning to Pakistan from several countries.
The ministry submitted the report to the Supreme Court along with an application to withdraw its election-date order on Tuesday, fearing all sorts of dangers if the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies are held on May 14 as per the top court’s instructions.
Dawn reported that the Defence Ministry feared that the provincial polls could lead to internal instability and charged political environment. These situations might encourage foreign threats to further destabilise the region, including India’s foreign intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) taking benefit of the situation. The RAW could exploit ethnic issues in the country and exacerbate water disputes and other issues.
The report also warned of a spike in terrorism since, it said, several fighters from Islamic State (IS) group and other outfits were returning to Pakistan from Syria, Yemen and the Middle East. The report added that sleeper cells of terrorist elements were active in Punjab, especially in south Punjab, and even in Islamabad.
The report also claimed that several threats have been received against senior leaders of political parties, while warning of possible clashes between supporters of political parties.
The report also feared an all-out war with India as the neighbouring country could try to exploit internal instability in the country arising due to the politically charged environment amid polls.
However, the report hoped that the situation would improve in six to eight months due to recent understanding among China, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan to counter terrorism.
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