ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Election Commission requested on Sunday for the army and law enforcement to be stationed at polling stations due to a lack of police officers.
In a letter from ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan, a deficit of 277,558 police personnel was highlighted for the upcoming general elections slated for February 8 next year.
Secretary Khan specifically asked for the Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies to be stationed in a static capacity at the polling stations to ensure a seamless election process.
He emphasized the importance of this action considering the precarious security and law enforcement situation across the country, expressing this in a letter directed to the Ministry of Interior.
The ECP urged the ministry to guarantee the presence of both the Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces (CAFs) in both static and quick response force (QRF) capacities to address the shortage of security personnel during the elections.
Secretary Khan stressed that the ECP is taking necessary measures to organize the elections in line with the Constitution and relevant laws.
He expected equal dedication from executive authorities and law enforcement agencies to uphold law and order in the constituencies during the electoral process.
NADRA’s big decision about overseas Pakistanis
Meanwhile,
Overseas Pakistanis no longer need to navigate through the complexities of physical visits and extensive paperwork to grant Power of Attorney (PoA) in their home country. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a convenient digital PoA service, simplifying the process significantly.
This groundbreaking initiative breaks down geographical barriers, enabling anyone holding a valid National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), or Pakistan Origin Card (POC) to authorize PoA to individuals residing within Pakistan.
The entire procedure can be swiftly completed in just six simple steps:
- Qualify as an overseas Pakistani.
- Possess valid identification documents for yourself, your attorney, and any witnesses (CNIC/NICOP/POC).
- Maintain a valid email address, contact number, and mailing address outside Pakistan.
- Collect biometric data (fingerprints) for yourself and two witnesses and proceed with a seamless online payment using a credit or debit card.
- Scan a copy of the original PoA, complete with signatures, thumb impressions, and your photograph.
- Accurate details for your attorney and witnesses are essential.
For those engaging with international partners, it’s crucial to note that foreign individuals must visit the relevant Pakistani Mission Abroad for final attestation after receiving approval from their local authorities.
