Army troops to man by-elections in the country

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved deployment of Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces (CAF) troops during the by-elections in the country starting tomorrow.

The government would use the armed forces’ units as a quick response force. After the centre’s approval, the Ministry of Interior has issued an order in this regard.

The notification mentions that the CAF and Pakistan Army units would be used as second and third tiers of security and they would be available with immediate effect till April 22 in 21 constituencies.

National Assembly members suspended for disruptive behaviour

“The exact number of troops, date/period, area and mode of deployment would be worked out by the ECP in consultation with all concerned stakeholders based on ground requirement/ assessment. The date of de-requisitioning of the said deployment will be decided subsequently after mutual consultation among all stakeholders,” the Ministry of Interior said in its notification.

The CAF and army troops would be deployed in five National Assembly constituencies, 12 Punjab Assembly, two Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and two Balochistan Assembly constituencies.