Civil Armed Forces to Ensure Security During Upcoming By-Elections

Pakistan clears troop deployment for Nov. 23 by-elections
LAHORE, Nov 21 (Ali Imran Chattha)
 

Pakistan’s federal government has approved the deployment of civil armed forces, including the army, to secure by-elections scheduled for Nov. 23, the Punjab Home Department said on Thursday.
The decision came after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) requested additional security. The interior ministry authorised the deployment from Nov. 22 to Nov. 24.

Army to act as rapid-response unit
Under the plan, army personnel and civil armed forces will serve as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF), positioned to respond swiftly to any security incident during the polling process.
By-elections will be held on Sunday across five National Assembly constituencies and seven Punjab Assembly constituencies.
Constituencies covered
For the National Assembly, troops will be deployed in NA-18, NA-96, NA-104, NA-129, NA-143 and NA-185.

Punjab Assembly constituencies include PP-73, PP-87, PP-98, PP-115, PP-116, PP-203 and PP-269.
The deployment covers several districts, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh and Mianwali.
Force strength to be finalised

Officials said the final number of personnel required will be determined in coordination between the Punjab Home Department and the ECP.