No decision yet on election day internet shutdown: Interior Minister
Interior Minister Gohra Ijaz addressed concerns regarding the possibility of an internet shutdown on Election Day, stating that no decision has been made yet. He assured the public that the caretaker government is committed to facilitating a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
Speaking alongside Information Minister Murtaza Solangi in a media briefing held in Islamabad, Minister Gohra Ijaz emphasized that there is no tension among election candidates. He cautioned against destabilizing forces, highlighting the collective responsibility to thwart any threats to Pakistan's stability.
Providing insights into election security measures, Minister Ijaz disclosed that there are a total of 90,777 polling stations across the country. Among them, 44,000 are categorized as normal, 20,985 as sensitive, and 16,766 as highly sensitive.
Highlighting the scale of security deployment, Minister Ijaz revealed that 511,000 police officers are on duty for election security, with over 137,000 officers specifically appointed for this purpose. He assured that adequate security personnel, averaging 7 to 8 officers per polling station, will be deployed to ensure a safe voting environment.
Minister Ijaz reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to conducting peaceful and transparent elections, affirming the freedom of voters to cast their ballots without fear. He emphasized the role of armed forces and civil armed forces in providing protection, mentioning the use of CCTV and facial recognition technology in select areas to enhance security measures.
