QUETTA: Personnel of Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps will be deployed at all sensitive districts and other areas on May 1 for ensuring free, fair and transparent elections in Balochistan, officials said.

Confirming the deployment plan on Sunday, Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said security arrangements had been finalised to maintain peace and order in the province during the elections.

“Army and Frontier Corps would take their place of assignment on May 1,” he said, adding that they would continue to perform their security duties till May 15.

Mr Durrani said that border with Afghanistan would be closed on May 11. He said security forces would conduct targeted operations in case a subversion act took place.

Over 21,000 personnel of the Pakistan Army and the FC would perform security duties not only in 11 sensitive districts of Makran and Kalat divisions but also in other districts and areas, including Qila Abdullah.

Police, Levies and personnel of the Balochistan Reserve Police would also be deployed throughout the province during elections.

TEACHERS’ RESERVATIONS:

Secretary Education Munir Badani will hold talks with leaders of the Government Teachers Association to discuss the situation arising out after teachers’ refusal to perform polling duties in 11 sensitive districts, sources said.

Around 18,461 teachers have refused to perform election duties in 11 districts of Kalat and Makran divisions after banned militant organisations issued threats that they would target all those who would be part of the electoral process.

Official sources said reservations of the teachers would be addressed.