KARACHI, April 28: Caretaker Chief Minister retired Justice Zahid Kurban Alavi on Sunday ordered law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) to beef up security for candidates, their offices and election camps and take all-out measures to foil a conspiracy to delay the general elections.

He gave these directives while presiding over a high-level meeting held to review the law and order situation in the wake of bomb attacks targeting different political parties.

He vowed that the elections would be held on time. The provincial government initiated prompt and urgent measures to stop such attacks and ensure security and safety across the province, especially in Karachi, he added.

Referring to the attacks near the offices and election camps of different parties, the CM expressed his resolve to provide a peaceful and conducive environment to voters so that they could exercise their right of vote without any fear.

He said that terrorist and miscreant elements wanted to create panic among the people but the government with the help of political parties and people would crush them.

He praised the spirit of patience and harmony shown by heads of various political parties.

CM Alavi appreciataed the commitment of the political parties to extend their support in spite of the precarious situation.

He said all political parties were united to hold elections on time. “Such resolve and firm commitment of parties will defeat the ill-designs of the terrorists and anti-state elements.”

Earlier, the CM was briefed by senior officials on the prevailing law and order situation.

The officials claimed that all possible measures had been adopted to restore the peace and curb terrorist activities in the metropolis and that there would be positive results very soon and the situation would improve in a few days.

The CM said that the suggestions put forwarded by the political parties in the scheduled all-parties conference on Tuesday would be incorporated and further steps would be taken accordingly.

Sources said that the meeting allowed the candidates facing threat to their life to acquire services of five security guards provided all their particulars would be provided to police immediately.

Those who attended the meeting included Information Minister Noorul Huda Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Naveed Kaman Bloch, heads of law-enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, the CM decided to return half of his security squad.

The information minister also returned her full security so that the police personnel could be used for protection of life and property of the people.