Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, announced that the government is fully prepared to conduct free and transparent elections on February 8, as reported by Radio Pakistan on Saturday.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, Solangi emphasized that the caretaker government has consistently adhered to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) designated date for the elections. Ample resources have been allocated to ensure a fair electoral process, with foolproof security arrangements in place for voters at polling stations.
Solangi outlined the security plan, stating that the police will be the primary security tier, followed by the Civil Armed Forces as the second tier, and the Armed Forces of Pakistan assisting as the Quick Reaction Force in the third tier to ensure peaceful polling.
The information minister shared statistics, noting that over 128 million voters, including more than 50.9 million women, will participate in the election to choose representatives for 266 general seats in the National Assembly. Additionally, 92 international observers will monitor the election process in the country.
Addressing concerns raised by PTI founder Imran Khan, Solangi emphasized that Pakistan is a free country, allowing everyone the right to criticize, including the caretaker government and the courts. He acknowledged the media’s freedom to express dissent and criticize court judgments.
Responding to a question about the ongoing terrorism and law and order issues, Solangi noted that these challenges are not new for the country and have deep roots. He mentioned that after the fall of Kabul and the Taliban takeover, terrorist activities increased significantly, with various factions finding safe havens in Afghanistan.
