Pak Defense Ministry requests Supreme Court to cancel upcoming elections

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defense Ministry has requested the Supreme Court to withdraw the order to hold elections due to the fear of terrorist attacks. According to reports, the ministry has filed a sealed petition in the Supreme Court, requesting simultaneous elections in the country. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have submitted their respective reports to the Supreme Court regarding the provision of funds for elections in Punjab.

The SBP cited reasons for non-release of funds, while the finance ministry’s report contained details of the cabinet’s decision and referred the matter to Parliament. According to sources, the ECP report states that there is no money for the elections and there are concerns about security. The Defense Ministry report also highlighted the need to hold single-day elections in view of the heightened security situation in the country, adding that the armed forces would be able to perform election duties by early October.

The report states that ‘due to the ongoing security situation and counter-terrorist operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, as well as intelligence-based operations in Punjab and Sindh, the Armed Forces, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary and other forces Election security is not available to be provided twice in a span of six months. The application explained that therefore, the outcome of any diversion of troops from KP and Balochistan would directly impact the security situation in Punjab and Sindh, according to the report.