Gilgit-Baltistan CM says army won’t be deployed for elections

GILGIT: Caretaker Chief Minister Mir Afzal on Friday said that army won’t be deployed for security in Gilgit-Baltistan during the Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for Nov 15.

He said that the services of police and paramilitary forces would be utilized to maintain the law and order in the region.

"We will prove that police and paramilitary forces have full capability to provide security during elections," CM Afzal said while addressing a press conference.

Read more: Army chief desires transparent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, says Bilawal

"We will set an example for the whole country by conducting the GB elections without [help from] the army," he added. However, army officials could be posted in "sensitive areas" depending on the conditions, he clarified.

Afzal said the caretaker government is "neutral" and would investigate if evidence of rigging was found.

‘Allegations of political engineering baseless’

Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan, in a press conference, said that the PML-N has lost control of its workers and now levelling allegations of "political engineering" against the election commission.

He expressed the resolve to conduct "transparent elections at any cost", and said help would be taken from GB Scouts, Rangers, police and Frontier Corps for the security.

Khan too said that the army would only be posted at sensitive polling stations.

"Arrangements for the elections are being made according to the coronavirus situation," he added.