*ISLAMABAD: *Terrorists are planning to execute their nefarious designs todisturb peace and tranquility and law and order during the ongoingelectioneering throughout the country ahead of July 25 polls, said aNational Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) official on Monday.
“Despite our security and intelligence-based operations against theterrorists, there are still intelligence reports about [possible] terroristattacks,” said Dr Suleman Khan, the National Coordinator Nacta.
“As head of the Nacta, an organisation established to coordinate counterterrorism efforts, I would say we have received some very serious reports.Hitherto Nacta has issued 12 threat alerts based upon source reportsconcerning the election campaigns, some quite general and othersparticulars,” Dr Suleman added.
It has been revealed that PTI Chairman Imran Khan is among the terroristhit list.
He said this while briefing a high-level meeting called to discussterrorism preventive measures during the upcoming general elections. Themeeting was held under the chairmanship of Federal Minster for InteriorAzam Khan at the Nacta Headquarters in Islamabad.
“The main objective of this conference is to review and coordinate oursecurity efforts, keeping in view upcoming elections and securityarrangements,” Dr Suleman Khan said while delivering his opening remarks.
“Electioneering is a long process and political parties and campaignersactively and energetically convince and persuade the masses for gettingelected.”
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) officials briefed the meeting onsecurity and safety measures being conveyed to all the stakeholders. Allprovincial home departments presented their preventive measures planned forthe 2018 elections.
Senior officers of police and other law enforcement agencies apprised thefederal minister and participants of the meeting on various securitymeasures.
The Nacta, in its comprehensive presentation, informed about threat alertsissued to the relevant authorities regarding possible terrorist incidentsduring the election process, targeting some political leaders. It alsosuggested preventive measures that can be taken to thwart such terroristattacks.
Earlier, Interior Minister Azam Khan, while expressing his views on thecountry’s law and order situation, said: “We should not fall victims ofsectarian and religious controversial issues, which actually hinder peaceefforts. We need an unbiased, across the board equal treatment against themiscreants … our action should be regardless of any party or any pressuregroup affiliations,” he added.
The caretaker minister hoped that by deploying police and other lawenforcement forces on the election duty, the vital installations, high-riskinfrastructure and terrorism prone areas of the country would be protectedfrom terror attacks.