On October 16, there will be by-elections in eight constituencies – NA-22 Mardan, NA-24 Charsadda, NA-31 Peshawar, NA-45 Kurram, NA-108 Faisalabad, NA-118 Nankana Sahib, NA-237 Malir and NA-239 Karachi.
A number of terrorist activities could take place during the by-elections, the Ministry of Interior warned.
Letter for by-elections
This month, the ministry requested a 90-day delay from the ECP due to flood relief activities and a fear that a certain party might “besiege” the capital.
According to a source in Punjab, it is feared that the political leadership coming to the province will be targeted. According to the letter from the ministry, by-elections should be conducted cautiously.
It was alleged that nationalist parties from Sindh and Balochistan could carry out terrorist activities in Karachi on October 23.
Police alone cannot control law and order during by-polls, the ministry said, and the armed forces are also busy helping with flood relief.
There have been reports of police actions being biased in some provinces, the ministry said. Aside from that, the report notes that there is a high level of political acrimony in the country, with workers from all political parties facing charges.
Flood-relief operations
It was also reported by the interior ministry that terrorist groups have increased their activities in Karachi and Punjab following the deadly floods. There are currently flood-relief operations being conducted by the army and paramilitary forces. According to the ministry, terrorist attacks and extremist activities have increased.
The report noted that the number of terrorism-related activities has increased by 52 percent compared to 2021. According to the ministry, there are terrorists in Swat, Mardan, Peshawar, Tank, and Lakki Marwat, citing intelligence reports.
Members of government allies, law enforcement officials, and peace committee members were also mentioned as targets. A significant increase in terrorism has been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkwa in the last three months, with 222 incidents reported.
According to the letter, terrorists have entered Pakistan through secret routes on the Afghanistan border since June.
Sindh’s government refused to provide security personnel for the October 23 elections before the interior ministry’s letter. Local elections in the port city on October 4 were postponed three months by Sindh’s government. ECP refused to accept the offer.
