‘No direct role of Army in elections’

Islamabad, July 19: Pakistani Army will have no direct role in the country’s July 25 general elections and will work on the Election Commission’s directives to conduct peaceful polls, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

Asif Ghafoor, Director General of the Army’s media wing ISPR, rejected reports that the Army will work independently during the elections and clarified that its personnel will follow the poll body’s instructions. Ghafoor then elaborated on the election duty assigned to Army personnel, saying:

“The armed forces have always lent support to civil institutions. The security situation is being improved in the entire country to hold elections, Dawn online reported. Stressing on complying with the Election Commission of Pakistan’s code of conduct, Ghafoor said the troops also have to perform the police’s duties until the latter’s capabilities improve. (IANS)