Nobody will be allowed to disturb law, order, says Soomro
By Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD, Feb 6: Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro warned on Wednesday that no one would be allowed to disturb law and order during the coming elections.
He said that national assets, vital installations and public and private property would be protected and acts of violence and agitation would not be tolerated during and after the polls.
The prime minister was presiding over a high-level meeting held to review arrangements made for the elections.The meeting decided to instal additional scanning devices, including walk-through gates and cameras, at various places to ensure maximum security, a handout issued by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat said.
Mr Soomro said that law-enforcement agencies must maintain maximum vigilance because some elements might try to create trouble.
“The government will take necessary measures to ensure security of voters, candidates, political leaders, national assets and public and private properties. People must also remain vigilant, extend cooperation and provide information which can facilitate and strengthen security arrangements,” he added.
“As a nation we must convey to the international community that we are a responsible, peaceful and mature people capable of fulfilling our national obligations.”
Mr Soomro said that foreign observers and the international media would be facilitated to cover the entire election process. “They must also be briefed about the security situation in sensitive areas.”
He appealed to the local and foreign media to play “a responsible and constructive role” to help create an environment conducive to the elections.
The meeting decided to hold regular briefings for the observers and media personnel. It said that although guidelines for the elections and security arrangements had been issued by the Election Commission and the Ministry of Interior, a small booklet containing the guidelines would be provided to the foreign observers and media personnel on their arrival in Pakistan.
They would be free to visit any polling station in any constituency, but they would be advised in their own interest to avoid visiting certain sensitive areas, the meeting said.
Earlier, the interior secretary briefed the meeting on the law and order situation and security arrangements made for the elections.
The meeting was attended by federal and provincial ministers, secretaries, Inspectors General of Police, officials of Rangers, Frontier Constabulary and security agencies.
