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The interior ministry on Friday asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to postpone the October 16 by-election by 90 days in view of "credible reports" from intelligence agencies that a "political party" was planning a siege. federal capital.

In its letter to the poll leader, the ministry said in an apparent reference to the PTI that the party could "besiege" Islamabad between October 12 and 17, coinciding with October 16, the date on which the by-elections are due.

"This would require the maximum deployment of all available units to maintain peace in the capital," the letter said.

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It also cited losses incurred and an increase in disease after the recent catastrophic floods as reasons for postponing the by-election.

The letter states that most resources have been diverted to relief and rehabilitation in flood-affected areas of the country; therefore, it would put immense pressure on government agencies including the Pakistan Army, Border Guard, Rangers and other LEAs to utilize their resources and perform extra work during election duties.

The ministry said that if security personnel are not deployed, it will raise questions about the credibility of the election under Article 218 paragraph (3) of the Constitution, which directs the ECP to "organize and conduct elections and take such measures as may be necessary to ensure that the elections are conducted in an honest, fair manner , fairly and in accordance with the law and to prevent corrupt practices".

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Therefore, the Ministry has requested the ECP to further extend the by-election date by 90 days or as the Commission deems fit.

Elections were to be held in NA-22 Mardan, NA-24 Charsadda, NA-31 Peshawar, NA-45 Kurram, NA-108 Faisalabad, NA-118 Nankana Sahib, NA-237 Malir and NA-239 Karachi.

The interior ministry"s letter comes after sources earlier told The Express Tribune that police in the capital Islamabad had collected more than 1,100 containers, hundreds of which were delivered to the federal capital in a bid to prevent the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf"s "Haqeeqi Azadi march". federal capital.

According to sources, the capital will be completely shut down for a week after PTI chief Imran Khan announced the confirmed date of the march. Schools and colleges will be closed during this time and all exams will be postponed.

Sources claimed that 25,000 additional personnel would be brought into the capital to bolster the ranks of the police force. The government will also provide the security forces with about 50,000 rubber bullets and more than 60,000 tear gas shells in addition to ten drones.