ISLAMABAD: Terrorist elements are determined to sabotage upcoming elections in Pakistan as indicated by intelligence reports, Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Najam Sethi said on Friday.
Sethi, who was picked as a caretaker CM Punjab by a provincial parliamentary committee on March 26, expressed his helplessness in curbing suicide bombers and target killers.
A day ago the Ministry of Interior also warned of a massive terrorist threat in the coming general elections in the country.
In a meeting between officials of the ministry and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to discuss security issues, it was revealed that the banned Jandullah organisation, in coordination with Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LJ) and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was planning to carry out large-scale terrorist attacks in Balochistan, with Nushki and Quetta as their particular targets.
Intelligence reports suggest that attacks on government and semi-government buildings, installations and personnel of security forces were also possible.
The meeting was informed that the Balochistan Republican Army (BRA) was also planning to carry out attacks by improvised explosive device (IED) in Dera Bugti, Naseerabad and Jaffarabad. Usman Saifullah Kurd, a ‘commander’ of the Balochistan faction of the LJ, was planning terrorist attacks in Islamabad, a participant of the meeting told media.
It was also informed that the recent fighting among militants of the TTP, Lashkar-i-Islam and pro-government Ansar-ul-Islam from Jan 25 to March 18 might pose serious problem not only in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, but also in Peshawar and other settled districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The TTP is reported to be planning to carry out suicide and bomb attacks on important government buildings and installations in Peshawar. Mirali-based TTP militants may carry out attacks in Khanewal, Multan and surrounding areas.
The caretaker CM Punjab further said while addressing a news conference, that complete implementation of Election Commission’s directions for holding of free and fair elections would be assured.
Sethi, in reply to a question, ruled out the impression of lobbying for the slot of caretaker CM. He said he would be the first to quit if any attempt was made or any conspiracy was hatched to extend the tenure of the caretaker setup.
DND
