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In an effort to increase security for voters in a general election that has been preceded by a spike in extremist bloodshed, Pakistan has temporarily closed parts of its land borders and turned off mobile phone service on Thursday.
Tens of thousands of soldiers will be stationed at voting places across the nation by the government as a result of two explosions near electoral offices that occurred on Wednesday in the southwestern province of Balochistan which the Islamic State later claimed credit for.
It also comes after imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan urged his followers to stay outside polling places until the results were in. Khan’s followers battled with the military and looted many government buildings last year in an attempt to stop him from being taken into custody.
In a message sent on its X social media page, the interior ministry said, “As a result of the recent incidents of terrorism in the country precious lives have been lost, security measures are essential to maintain the law and order situation and deal with possible threats.”
Additionally, the borders to Afghanistan and Iran were closed.
According to an intelligence services source, a patrol vehicle in Tank’s northwest was attacked by gunmen, who opened fire, killing one person despite the tight protection.
The security forces did not immediately corroborate this.
A more definitive image of the election is probably going to surface early on Friday. Unofficial preliminary results are anticipated within a few hours of voting closing at 5 p.m. (1300 WAT).
The primary confrontations are anticipated to be between the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), led by three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and candidates supported by Khan, whose Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the most recent national election.
The 35-year-old son of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has also waged a vigorous campaign as an independent candidate for the highest post.
Long lines formed at polling places hours before voting was scheduled to begin, despite the brutal winter weather.
Experts speculate that while there might not be a clear winner, the strong generals might get involved. Throughout its 76 years of independence, the military has controlled the nuclear-armed nation either directly or indirectly, although it has long insisted that it stays out of politics.
A columnist, Abbas Nasir, said, “The deciding factor is which side the powerful military and its security agencies are on. Only a huge turnout in favour of PTI can change its fortunes.”
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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