Imdad 
Pakistan is heading towards elections, the Punjab government, provincial police chief and Defence Minister conveyed the message to election commission for need of fool-proof security during elections.
However, Election Commission of Pakistan said that Pakistan Army will not be available for election duties as Army’s first and foremost priority is to protect borders and secure the nation from any kind of attack.
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Earlier arrangements for fool-proof security of elections linked to help from law enforcement agencies including army. But this time it seems like Army will not be participating in any kind of security or duty related to elections in Pakistan.
For this decision, three consecutive meetings were held under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. Secretary and Additional Secretary Defence said that the top priority of army is border. Due to current situation of country Army is totally unavailable for elections’ duty.
The meeting of ECP was attended by Senior officials and secretary of Election Commission of Pakistan. The first meeting discussed the agenda of law and order situation in province and upcoming general elections in Punjab, security concerns and other difficulties.
2018 elections
The IGP said that, police is on duty to prevent crime and protect general public, securing elections is not their only duty. He said that in 2018, more than 3000 election activities and rallies held, we are expecting more this time so it would be difficult to provide security in current situation.
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Secretary Defence Lt Gen (retd) Hamood Uz Zaman Khan also briefed about border situation and deployment of troops in country. They also briefed that overall law and order situation of country is not much in hands. In this situation, deployment of Army in elections would be a risk.
