KARACHI: As part of security arrangements for the upcoming by-elections in Sindh, the provincial government has imposed a ban on carrying weapons and cancelled all the permits in this regard.
By-elections are scheduled to be held on August 22 in 42 constituencies across the country including Sindh province.
According to reports, the ban has been imposed for three days and would be applicable from August 21 to 23 and carrying arms in Sanghar, Shikarpur, Thatta, Mirpurkhas and Karachi would not allowed during these three days.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has finalised the security plan for the by-elections which says five security personnel will be stationed at normal polling stations, at least seven at sensitive while 10-20 at highly sensitive polling stations.
According to the ECP, army troops will separately be deployed at polling stations depending upon the requirements.
Moreover, troops have been deployed in and outside the sensitive polling stations across Sindh including Karachi in the backdrop of coming by-polls and to avoid any untoward situation.
The ECP said that army personnel will be able to exercise the powers of the first-class magistrate on August 22 under which they will be able to punish any perpetrators.
A total of 819 polling stations have been declared highly sensitive across Sindh including Karachi while more than 300 as sensitive.
