Pakistan: The key issue

In most elections, the issues that determine winners and losers involve economic policies, matters such as welfare of the people and sometimes broader international concerns. All of these hold at least partially true for the polls in Pakistan on May 11. But there is another daunting concern that hangs over this process: that of security and how the coming elections can be kept free of (more) violence. Too much blood has been shed already, with at least 48 killed and over 200 injured since April 21. We have as yet seen no indication that there will be an end to this violence any time soon, with reports of more deaths, more attacks and more fear pouring in on a daily basis. In an effort to ensure balloting in a peaceful atmosphere, as peaceful as possible, the army high command has met to determine its plan, as per discussions with the Election Commission of Pakistan. Following a meeting of the corps commanders, it has been decided by the military top brass that 50,000 troops – including the Frontier Corps – will be posted throughout the country. ‘Sensitive’ polling stations have been identified in KP, Sindh and Balochistan where violence has run high and the death toll has been devastating, and an emergency force will also be kept at hand to deal with any unexpected situation that may arise. All this goes to show just how precarious things are. Despite the wishes of some parties, army personnel will not be present inside polling stations and the ISPR has made it quite clear that the ECP advice in this respect will be adhered too. And this is exactly how things should be. But it is still far too early to say we have warded off trouble. We still do not know what will happen next. This is perhaps most true of the troubled province of Balochistan, where nationalist forces have also been involved in violence. On Monday, at the request of provincial authorities, the deployment of 15,000 military and paramilitary forces was begun in Balochistan. Nine districts are being covered first. Others are to follow. But there are also other problems authorities need to tackle in this province. Associations of teachers and lecturers have said they will not be performing polling duties due to the security situation. The overall scenario, then, is not a happy one at all. The tensions are palpable and, given where things stand, we can only hope the military security plan will work, enabling the conduct of peaceful elections during which people will feel safe in going to polling stations and voting. Whether we will succeed in doing this has become the most pressing issue of all as polling day draws nearer.