Interior Ministry requests ECP postponement of by-polls due to terrorism threats

The Interior Ministry has again sent a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to postpone the by-polls due to terrorism threats.

The ministry has stated in its letter that terrorists could carry out attacks during by-polls. Advising to conduct the by-polls in a careful manner, the letter has stated that there have been reports of sabotage before the elections of Sindh or Karachi or a day prior to the polls.

According to media reports, the ministry has also stated that in the coming days, political personalities could be targeted in Punjab. It further added that it would not be possible for the police to control the law and order situation in case of any untoward incident.

There have been reports of terrorist attacks in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi, the letter added, further stating that terrorists were entering Pakistan from secret border routes. References of intelligence agencies’ reports have also been sent by the Interior Ministry.

Earlier on October 8, the Interior Ministry had requested the ECP to postpone the by-elections for 90 days because the security forces were being busy in carrying out flood relief operations. It had further stated that a political party wanted to besiege Islamabad between October 12 to 17 that could interrupt the by-polls of October 16.