Military’s help will not be taken in elections: Caretaker GB CM

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Caretaker Chief Minister Mir Afzal has asserted that the Pakistan military’s help would not be taken in the upcoming elections for the Legislative Assembly.

“Help will be taken only from the region’s police and the parliamentary forces during the elections,” Mir Afzal said while addressing a press conference today (Friday).

The Caretaker Chief Minister further said, “We will prove that police and paramilitary forces have full capability to help with conducting the elections.”

“We will set an example for the whole country by conducting elections without the help from the Pakistan military,” he added. However, he informed, army officials could be posted in sensitive areas.

Mir Afzal also asserted that the caretaker government was neutral and would investigate if evidence of rigging was found. Elections on the 24 general seats of the GB Legislative Assembly will be held on Nov 15.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has banned the prime minister and other government officials from visiting GB until elections have been held.

Addressing a press conference Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan said that as per the rules and regulations, no government official could visit the region or run an election campaign.