AJK elections: Interior Ministry deploys 16,800 security personnel
- 16,800 security personnel to be deployed for AJK elections.
- Punjab to provide the largest contingent with 14,000 police personnel.
- Around 30% of the force will be armed for election security duties.
- Polling will be held in three phases from July 27 to August 10.
The federal government has finalised the deployment of 16,800 security personnel from across Pakistan to maintain law and order during the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections.
According to an official circular issued by the Ministry of Interior, all relevant departments have been directed to ensure the timely deployment of personnel for election security.
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The deployment will include 15 Superintendents of Police (SPs) and 48 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), who will oversee security arrangements during the polling process.
Punjab will contribute the largest contingent with 14,000 police personnel, followed by Sindh with 2,000 officers. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will send 500 personnel, Balochistan 200, and Gilgit-Baltistan 100.
The circular states that 30% of the deployed force will be armed, while the remaining 70% will perform election duties equipped with batons.
The Punjab contingent will comprise personnel from the Punjab Highway Patrol, Riot Management Force, Punjab Constabulary and district police.
Earlier, the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir announced that the 2026 general elections will be held in three phases to ensure a peaceful, transparent and orderly electoral process.
Under the election schedule, polling will be held in Mirpur on July 27, Muzaffarabad on August 2 and Poonch on August 10, with results to be announced in phases.
The Chief Election Commissioner said the phased polling plan was adopted to maintain security and transparency, adding that the military would only be deployed if the situation went beyond the control of civilian authorities. He also rejected speculation about postponing the elections, reaffirming the commission’s commitment to holding peaceful and transparent polls as scheduled.
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