If govt had mala fide intent, results would have been different: minister

ISLAMABAD: Denying allegations of state-sponsored rigging, Interim Interior Minister Gohar Ijaz on Friday asserted the government was impartial and the election results proved it.

“Had the government acted with malafide intent, the results would not have been as they are,” Ijaz, who was flanked by Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, said during a press conference.

He said said that a total of 56 terrorist incident took place on February 8 Election Day to sabotage the electoral process. Ijaz expressed confidence in the decisions made for the betterment of public.

“We knew there would be criticism over the internet and mobile phone shutdown,” acknowledged Ijaz, underlining the importance of prioritizing human lives. Addressing concerns about the security of polling staff, Ijaz explained, “How could we secure our polling stations in the presence of thousands of people?” The caretaker interior minister expressed satisfaction at the law enforcement agencies’ handling of the security situation.

Ijaz reported successful coordination among the institutions, with more than 600,000 Pakistani forces safeguarding citizens during the election.

Despite the risks, the election proceeded in a stable environment. “It is hoped that the government formed after the election will prioritise the people,” stated the caretaker interior minister.

Murtaza Solangi said that contrary to more stringent security measures taken very recently, the internet remained operational amid the polls and there was no ban on social media.

He highlighted that internet shutdowns occur globally in exceptional circumstances. Solangi reported 47 incidents of terrorism since January 15, supporting the argument for decisive actions to ensure public safety.

Gohar Ijaz stated that the attacks, which claimed the lives of 3 soldiers, 2 Levies, 7 policemen and 4 civilians, were not suicides. He emphasized that both bombing incidents involved detonator devices. Despite facing criticism for shutting down mobile phones and the internet, Ijaz defended the decision, highlighting the need to secure polling stations amid a large voter turnout.

Murtaza Solangi, felicitating the nation over the peaceful and orderly conduct of general elections, said the caretaker government had fulfilled the solemn pledge of holding elections in line with timeframe, given by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

He said despite speculations and multiple challenges “we have consistently stood by our stance on the conduct of elections”.

Replying to a question, he said there was no shutdown of internet on the election day and added the fixed broadband was functioning and social media platforms were fully used by the subscribers. He pointed out internet suspension was not specific to Pakistan since many countries opted for the shutdown of internet service, simply due to security reasons.

Sharing data, he said that in 2022, the internet was shut down 187 times in 35 countries of the world and a neighbouring country, with purported democratic credentials, closed internet service for 84 times.

He said Pakistan had been fighting the longest war against the scourge of terrorism with over hundred thousand martyrdoms. He said on the election day, 16 persons lost their lives in 61 incidents of violence and on the previous day, 28 persons were martyred in two incidents of terrorism.

Answering a question, the minister said the temporary shutdown of mobile phone service was imperative for the protection of people’s lives.

On Thursday, the head of the Commonwealth Observer Group pointed out that when there were no mobile phones and internet service, even then democracy was in vogue and elections were conducted around the world.

The minister said that ECP SMS service 8300 had been functional since January 29 and most of the voters must have got the required information in advance. He acknowledged that people had faced some difficulties, but protecting citizens’ lives was the main task and obligation of the security agencies and the Ministry of Interior.

“It was more important for us to save people’s lives and mobile phone service shutdown was done due to security threats,” Murtaza Solangi remarked.

To a question, he said a large number of independent candidates were elected which was an indication of the fairness of the electoral process. Principal Information Officer Dr Tariq Mehmood Khan was also present on the occasion.