Official documents available with Business Recorder on behalf of DG ISI reveal that the DG(C) briefed the Federal cabinet on May 4, and maintained that terrorist threats needed to be taken seriously, for which a cohesive state initiative should be undertaken.
There were clear intelligence reports available that claim that concerted efforts are under way to target candidates before and during the elections. It would be appropriate if the Prime Minister called an All Party Conference and took them into confidence on the measures which are being taken for security, to alleviate their fears. Director General, Intelligence Bureau (IB), said the perception about the law and order situation could be improved by electronic media through efforts of all concerned. Electronic media and press have to play their due role. Similarly, the provincial governments are also required to do their part.
The top boss of IB argued that there was a threat to political and religious leadership in Islamabad. Polling stations are required to be protected in all parts of the country. In Qila Saifullah, Zhob, etc, terrorists' threat is high and requires extra protection in the polling stations. The polling material also requires to be taken care of.
In Sindh, intelligence agencies have to work hard not only in Karachi and in Interior Sindh but also tribal enmities in Kashamor, Kundh Kot, Shahdad Kot, Umar Kot and Sanghar have to be kept in view. Similarly in North Waziristan, tribal feuds have to be figured in. In Southern Punjab, some districts have sectarianism. In Lahore as well, there are sensitivities between PTI and PML-N which may worsen in the coming days. The DG suggested that a flag march of the Armed Forces as per a previous Cabinet decision should be carried out to discourage terrorists.
After the presentation, concerned ministers responded to some of the queries. The Minister for Information and Broadcasting Arif Nizami stated that over the years, media had become independent. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting can only talk to them and try to persuade them to not place undue focus on sensationalism/projection of separatists etc. He quoted the example of the PM's speech, which was made to bring due positivism; however, instead the incidents in Islamabad and Karachi were made front page news.
The Minister requested the provinces to control the situation through being proactive, rather than throw the ball in the Information Ministry's court. The provincial governments have the powers to register cases against these elements and take action. The Ministry can only talk to national level newspapers but regional newspapers are out of its reach. Incidentally the newspapers themselves are under threats from BNA and other militants. So far as electronic media is concerned, PID should talk to them.
The Minister for Law congratulated the PM on his recent speech, which had raised the morale of people. He suggested that in view of the considerable threat by proscribed organisations TTP and others, the provincial government could consider the use of Preventive Detention Law under Section 3 of the Security of Pakistan Act, through which they could haul up and detain particular groups or persons, based on prior intelligence information.
Other Cabinet members expressed the following observations significantly:
I - The possibility of convening of an All-Party Conference should be explored to bring parties on board.
2 - Army should not be deployed in the premises of the polling booths as there would be serious reservations on the issue.
3 - Advance preparedness in hospitals in line with the strategy taken by the Punjab Government should be made.
4 - Provincial governments have powers to issue warrant for miscreants under section 3 of the Security of Pakistan Act. Those powers are to be reviewed by the Supreme Court in three months by which time the election would be over.
5 - There are three ways of disrupting the elections such as a communication breakdown, sabotage on power grids and breakdown of power supply chain. 10 out of 42 grid stations are sensitive which need army deployment.
6 - Election is being held on May 11, which is a Saturday, so the preceding Friday, May 10, should be declared holiday to facilitate voters and arrangements.