Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Asif Ghafoor is addressing an ‘important’ press conference.
The DG ISPR began his presser by addressing concerns regarding the July 25 general election.
“I am constantly asked whether elections will be held or not but Pakistan is headed towards the general election.”
“This is the third election which will ensure the democratic process,” he said.
Explaining the army’s role in the July 25 general election, Major-General Ghafoor said, “The armed forces are not directly involved in conducting the election.”
“We have to support the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the tasks they have sought our help with,” he continued.
He further added this is not the first time that troops will be deployed to overlook the election process. “The armed forces have rendered services during previous elections as well,” he upheld.
Regarding overlooking the process of the printing of ballot papers, DG ISPR clarified, “We only have to transport the ballot papers in a secure manner and will not be involved in anything else.”
“We will not take over the printing material, the ECP staff will handle that,” he asserted.
“In Rawalpindi we have established an army election support centre to coordinate and if needed communicate with ECP,” the DG ISPR said.
Maj-Gen Ghafoor further revealed that the ECP has issued a code of conduct for the military. “We are bound to implement a code of conduct issued by the ECP when executing our duties,” he said.
“Our top priority is to maintain peace and security in the country,” he upheld.
“We will carry out our duties in a non-political and impartial manner without any interference in the election process,” the DG ISPR maintained.
Further, the DG ISPR shared that the ECP has made a system through which pictures will be taken and transmitted to returning officers to ensure that when the votes are counted they are neither less nor more.
Major-General Ghafoor also requested the media to not question the troops deployed at polling stations.
“I’d like to request media persons to refrain from approaching troops deployed at the stations,” he said.
“We do not have any political party or alignment and are working only for the country,” he said.
The DG ISPR further urged the nation to come out and vote.
“No matter who you support, come out and vote for them,” he said while adding that he hopes the voter turnout will increase.
During his last press conference on June 4, DG ISPR had pointed to growing negative propaganda on social media against Pakistan and its institutions, including the army.
