Pakistan to deploy 5,000 police officers to monitor polling stations ahead of elections

Supporters of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), gather around his vehicle during an election campaign rally, ahead of the general elections, in Karachi, Pakistan, February 5, 2024. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro

Capital police in Islamabad, Pakistan, have requested 5,000 additional personnel for increased security during their elections today.

Heightened security measures come following a recent meeting by the IMF Executive Board in Washington DC, to approve a further $700 million payment to Pakistan. With former Prime Minister Imran Khan in prison, some experts are saying this is a ‘selection’ rather than an election process, as 90% of the nominations from the centre-right Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party were rejected. However, widespread support for PTI affiliates still remains. The centre-left Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is an outside contender to return to power for the first time since 2008. Moreover, the recent military exchange between Pakistan and Iran, despite repatriation, remains a security threat with active insurgent groups on both sides of the border.

Expect the elections in Pakistan to result in further IMF discussions for funding as the current deadline looms. The winning party, which may be the front-running centrist party, Pakistan Muslim-League Nawaz (PMLN), will have to act swiftly to ensure short-term economic stability for the nation. Given the controversial nature of these elections, expect continued social and military instability within Pakistan as it deals with additional security threats internally and externally, which may lead to events similar to the January 16 attacks, both short and long-term.