At Pak-Afghan border, people nostalgic about past but happy over security measures

Delawar Jan

BARAWAL BANDI (Upper Dir): A group of senior citizens fondly recollected how people of this border region maintained trade with Afghanistan and walked across the Durand Line unhindered.

Both trade and cross-border movement stopped after Pakistan Army’s deployment on the boundary along Upper Dir following attacks by militants based in Kunar.

The valued mushroom, good quality timber, wool and desi ghee no more reach this region from Afghanistan’s Kunar province that borders both Upper Dir and Lower Dir districts. Afghans, who until recently crossed over from Afghanistan to buy clothes, shoes and food items, can no longer come to Barawal Bandi.

During a visit to the border town recently, one found the elders discussing the past in a poky second-floor room of the bazaar.

“I remember my last visit when I stayed for a night in [Pakistani area of] Karakar and reached [Afghanistan’s] Machbina area midday next day as part of a jirga,” Fazl Hanan said.

Upper Dir has no road link with Afghanistan and people used to trek mountainous paths to cross over to Zorr Barawal, Dolai, Qasim, Batash, Chiragal, Loya Dera, Marano Dabona, Mashango Kass, Barikot and other villages and towns of Afghanistan. Trudged under the weight, mules or men would take goods to Afghanistan.

Apart from mutual trade, tribes on both sides of the border had friendships and relations. Ghulam Muhammad, a 75-year old man, said he had visited people on the other side of the border more than 20 times.

Some tribes like Mishwani and Katani (also called Kohistanis) straddle the boundary and maintained connections. Elders say Mishwani is the major tribe that inhabits Sonai Darra, Nusrat Darra, Bin Darra and Shingara Darra, all situated on the border. Other tribes that live in these areas are Katani, Taran, Swati, Tajak and Bahadar Shahkhel.

The trade and cross-border movement stopped after Pakistan sent thousands of troops in September 2011 to protect the border against incursions by Pakistani Taliban entrenched in Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan.

The deployment hardly disturbs people here. For them, their security and the country’s sovereignty are more important. “Had the army not been deployed along the border, the Taliban would have also slaughtered people by now in Barawal Bandi and strutted around its streets,” Fazl Hanan said.

He referred to the June 2011 attack by Taliban that killed 27 police and Levies officials and some civilians in Shaltalo, a border village some 15 kilometres west of Barawal Bandi. In 2012, the fighters loyal to the reclusive Swat Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah slaughtered 17 soldiers deployed on the border.

However, the militants never crossed the border after the deployment and could not launch attacks for 15 months, giving confidence to people that they were now secure. That confidence was shattered by the mid-September attack this year. Fazlullah’s group killed a two-star general, Maj Gen Sanaullah Niazi, in a roadside blast, an incident ‘unthinkable’ for the local people.

The incident disturbed Fazl Hanan and others. “What happened that day was wrong and shocking. The incident caused us bad name and many problems,” he said.

Investigations are underway but it still remains unclear how the attacker(s) managed to stalk the general and kill him. Some officials in Dir speculated that it could have been a ‘coincidence’. These officials see ‘complacency’ behind the decision not to clear the dusty road before the general’s visit. They said a vehicle that carried jammers and led the way was asked to follow the general’s vehicle as it was raising clouds of dust off the road.

Around 40 suspects, according to officials, are being interrogated at a military base but no breakthrough has been reported. An army officer said investigations continued but could not be shared with the media.

The militants, who have escaped military operations in Malakand division in 2009, have built sanctuaries in Kunar and Nuristan provinces and regrouped under their leader, Maulana Fazlullah.

Two weeks after the high-profile attack, calm prevailed in the town of Barawal Bandi and other areas up to Shahikot, a small town some 34 kilometres west of Dir near the Afghan border. A walk by schoolchildren in Barawal Bandi, usual business in its bazaar and normal flow of traffic and construction of houses and roads indicated that routine life had not been disturbed. There was no unusual movement of soldiers or any visible tension.

Shahikot had, however, signs of calm tension. An army barrier stopped vehicles from entering the bazaar as these were diverted to the bypass. As shops continued routine business, with some drying the fresh produce of walnut in the sun, several were closed. Customers hardly figured.

“Troops corralled us near the stream after the attack, but we had no idea about the incident,” said the young Nisarul Haq in Shahikot.

“When we came to know about it and I returned home, my father told me ‘I cannot show you my heart but it’s bleeding’.”

He said soldiers were not tough on them even after such a major attack.

In this hard area, resources with the security forces are limited. As some soldiers have been billeted in government buildings, others live in shops. Surprisingly, the area’s police station was working in a single shop.

Several posts on the ridges overlooked the area, in addition to dozens more that dot the forward areas.

People to govt after deadly terrorist attacks: We want action

Delawar Jan

PESHAWAR: Deadly terrorist attacks that mowed down over 140 innocent people in Peshawar during the last eight days are eroding people’s support for talks with the Taliban, dealing a major blow to efforts by the federal and provincial governments to seek a peaceful solution to terrorism.

The feeling among the people that Taliban have no respect for talks is rising. The attacks are fast changing the public opinion and many are now demanding military action against the militants. Also, anger against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is raging for its failure to protect the people or take a clear-cut stance against terrorism. Imran Khan’s suggestion to allow the Taliban to open an office prompted many to heap scorn on him.

“No talks, launch offensive (against Taliban),” chanted members of the civil society who protested at the blast site. “Imran, open your eyes,” they yelled, urging him to realise the Taliban were irreconcilable.

The All Parties Conference on September 9 agreed to hold negotiations with the Taliban to find a solution to the decade-old terrorism. However, the atmosphere was vitiated by the Taliban attacks, all major.

The September 15 attack in the border region of Upper Dir killed a two-star general who was in command of the security forces in the Malakand Division, a lieutenant colonel and a soldier. Suicide attacks on the All Saints Church on September 22 killed 84, a bus explosion claimed 19 lives in Gulbela and on Sunday the car bombing in Qissa Khwani killed over 40.

“The government should decide whether they stand with the people or terrorists,” said a protester, Sikandar Hayat, who held a placard and a lit a candle to remember the people killed in the blast. He said the PTI government should come out of fear and stand to the ‘terrorists.’

“We want one decisive thing: a military operation,” said Taimur Iqbal. “Repetitive talks have borne no result,” he added. He said the PTI government had surrendered to the militants and the federal government was also unwilling to take on them.

Nighat Orakzai, a woman lawmaker of the Pakistan People’s Party, said talks could not be held with terrorists. “All the people martyred today must be asking God that for what fault they were killed,” she said. The aggressive MPA said she would throw the shoes of a two-year-old girl killed in the blast in the coming assembly session to shame the PTI out of silence and fear.

“Tell the leader who is demanding an office for the Taliban to set it up at his home,” she taunted, prompting people around her to shout, “establish the office in the Chief Minister’s House.” At the blast site, faces were grim. People had no idea what to do and who to turn to. “Pray that God help us,” Mohammad Abid helplessly told a caller. The explosion took place a few metres away from his watch shop. Pointing to a muddied teapot and cups, he said that he and his cousin took Qehwa minutes before the blast. “As my cousin left towards the site of the blast, the explosion occurred,” he said, without showing any expression. “He ran to me soaked in blood,” he added.

Sardar Khalid Mehmood, who lives in the street behind the site of the blast, said the explosion shook their houses. “There is no house where windowpanes are intact,” he said. “A hotel caught fire and several Chitralis were trapped there. We evacuated them from the rear of the building,” he added. Mehmood said one of their neighbours, who had suffered injuries in the blast on Bashir Bilour, was killed in this blast.

The spate of bomb explosions is worrying everyone for the safety of their dear ones. “Today, I received more than 20 calls from my mother after the blast to inquire whether I was fine,” a taxi driver Abdul Hakeem said. “And she didn’t get satisfied with my assurances, demanding of me to return home,” he added.

The site was marked by shattered glasses, twisted shutters, hanging wires and several notes announcing death and Namaz-e-Janaza of individuals. One note said, “Zalimo jawab do, khoon ka hisaab do.”

Tractors were removing the scattered debris; Pesco workers were repairing the damaged electricity supply lines and fire brigade sprinkling water on the smoldering hotel building. Police had cordoned off the area, probably the only thing they are left to do as they have been unsuccessful to foil the attacks.

Television channels had lined up DSNGs to broadcast activities live from the site. The Khyber Bazaar and Qissa Khwani Bazaar were shut down after the blast, a common sight by now after every attack. “Only the name of Qissa Khwani has remained. It has lost all charm and attraction,” Muhammad Abid said. “Graveyard is better today than the Qissa Khwani Bazaar,” he lamented.

Support for Hazara province in KP Assembly, thanks to PTI

Delawar Jan

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly said they would support the creation of Hazara province by endorsing a resolution in the assembly submitted by three party representatives from Hazara Division if the PTI leadership told them to do so.

The support has significance because it came from PTI MPAs elected in the Pakhtun-belt of the province. The Hindko-speaking people in Hazara division started a violent struggle for a separate province in anger against renaming of the erstwhile NWFP in 18th amendment in 2010. This was celebrated as success in the Pakhtun-belt by Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and others, as they saw it achievement of identity for Pakhtuns.

There was hardly any support for Hazara province in the previous assembly dominated by ANP and PPP. However, this assembly has negligible presence of ANP and PPP and there seems to be support for Hazara province. PTI has allowed its three MPAs from Abbottabad—Mushtaq Ghani, Qalandar Lodhi and Sardar Mohammad Idrees—to submit the resolution in the assembly that is likely to be tabled in its ongoing session.

PML-N that is supporting the demand of the Hazara people also has 17 members in the assembly. If passed, this would be the first resolution in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly that would support the division of the province and the creation of the new province.

“We support the demand for Hazara province,” said Fazal Elahi, a PTI MPA from rural Peshawar. “We have no objection to this demand and there exists no differences in our party on the issue,” he added. The MPA was confident that their support would not annoy their voters. Certain other PTI members of the assembly shared this opinion.

Mahmood Jan, another PTI MPA from a rural constituency in Peshawar, favoured creation of more provinces and said it would have no negative impact. “If Afghanistan and India could have a large number of provinces why couldn’t we have?” he argued. “Hazara province is not the people’s issue. People want relief from price-hike, measures against corruption and other issues that affect them,” he added. He said the party had not discussed this issue yet as it was the initiative of ‘a few people.’

It appears the PTI has not briefed its lawmakers on its policy on Hazara. Amjad Ali, a PTI MPA from Swat, also said the party had yet to hold discussions on the issue.

Some members privately said the resolution appeared a political gimmick as it would not result in the creation of Hazara province. The PTI’s willingness to allow the three lawmakers to submit the resolution seems to be an attempt to please them and placate the people in Hazara.

PTI promised during the election campaign that it would support the creation of Hazara province. The PTI’s official version on Hazara province could not be obtained. Ishtiaq Urmar, PTI’s provincial information secretary, did not answer calls. The central spokesperson Shireen Mazari ignored calls and a text message.

Amjad Ali, the MPA from Swat, added new dimension to the submission of resolution for Hazara province. “Though I don’t oppose Hazara province, I will better wait for the party policy. But if new units as small as Hazara could be created, then Malakand division better qualifies for a new province,” he said. “And such a demand can also come from the southern districts,” he added, warning it could open a Pandora’s box.

Amir Muqam, PML-N leader from Shangla district of Malakand division, has many times taken up demand for status of province to the seven districts of the division. However, he or any other leader did not turn the demand to a struggle.

Controversy rages after PTI govt appoints army of parliamentary secretaries

Delawar Jan

PESHAWAR: The newly-appointed parliamentary secretaries said on Wednesday, a day after their appointment that drew flak from people and opposition lawmakers, that the move would improve the performance of the provincial government and contribute to good governance.

The parliamentary secretaries, who talked to The News, said their appointment would ease the pressure of mounting work on the provincial ministers who were focusing on reforms in their respective departments.

However, critics alleged that the PTI-led coalition government was trying to give an official position to every member of the treasury benches. Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, through an executive order, appointed a battalion of 31 parliamentary secretaries, a decision that a lawmaker announced to take to the court. The province already had an oversized cabinet of 25 people and the fresh appointments are being seen as negative both by people and lawmakers from the opposition. “We are taking up new responsibilities but no perks and privileges,” said Fazal Elahi, who was also appointed as a parliamentary secretary. “We won’t be offered salaries and allowances, and it seems difficult that we will have the facility of official car and office,” he added.

The parliamentary secretaries said the government had initiated reforms in all sectors and every minister was burdened with work. The parliamentary secretaries, they said, would assist the ministers in the provincial assembly and in offices. “We will help the ministers in understanding different issues that crop up in their ministries,” said Meraj Humayun Khan, an MPA from Qaumi Watan Party. “We will prepare answers for the ministers to questions asked on the floor of the House or represent them in the assembly if they are not attending the session,” she added. Her party already has three ministers in the cabinet.

Some parliamentary secretaries said their appointment would improve the performance of the PTI government. “This decision will surely have a positive impact on the performance of our government. More people would now be looking after the affairs of the same ministry and the ministers will have less work to do and more time to focus on the performance of their departments,” Fazal Elahi said.

He argued it was a step towards good governance, something the PTI government has been trumpeting on.Mehmood Jan, another newly-appointed parliamentary secretary, said the departments would come under further check by them and this would contribute to good governance. He said the parliamentary secretaries would sometimes correct the ministers if they made mistakes and suggest new ideas to the ministry.

Provincial Law Minister Israrullah Gandapur argued that the decision is legal and constitutional. “The appointment of parliamentary secretaries would not add to the cabinet’s strength as they are not members of the cabinet,” he said.

Under 18th Amendment in the Constitution, the size of the cabinet could not exceed 11 percent of the total strength of the assembly. A vocal opposition lawmaker, Nighat Orakzai, disagreed with the law minister. She said it was illegal and unconstitutional and announced to move the court against the decision. “I will take a stay order from the court,” she said. “I will raise this issue in the provincial assembly,” she added.

Nighat Orakzai said the parliamentary secretaries would waste money of the taxpayers. She belied the government’s assertions that the parliamentary secretaries would have no extra benefits and said they would have cars and offices and would draw salaries and allowances from the provincial exchequer. “Parliamentary secretary is just like a minister,” she asserted.

The female lawmaker, who belongs to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), said one ministry was now run by four people: the minister, a consultant, an advisor or a special assistant and parliamentary secretary.

“All of them draw salaries and allowances from the government,” she said, adding that nothing could improve the PTI government’s performance. “They should admit they are incapable of running the government and step down,” she said. A parliamentary secretary, Arbab Jehandad Khan, described the appointment as “worthless.”

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Of the blurring line between the rulers and the ruled

Delawar Jan

PESHAWAR: The line between the masses, their representatives and rulers is blurring. People stage rallies on the streets and block roads to protest over problems and demand their resolution, but now their representatives, who are elected to solve their problems and who are in power corridors, also block roads.

The people have streets as the forum to protest and their representatives have assemblies where they seek and suggest solutions to people’s problems. And if the representatives belong to the ruling party, they have more options than just raising the issues in the assembly.

However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members of the provincial assembly seem to be unaware about the forum they are supposed to use. On Thursday, three MPAs along with their supporters blocked the Sher Shah Suri Road to protest against power and gas loadshedding and alleged ban on flour supply to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the government of the Punjab. Arif Yousaf, Fazl Elahi and Arbab Jahandad Khan encouraged young PTI workers to launch sit-in outside Peshawar Press Club on the busy road.

Strangely, police did not try to dislodge the MPAs and their supporters from the road that remained blocked for at least one and a half hour. Instead, they facilitated them in halting the flow of traffic by placing stones and bricks on the road at the square near the State Bank. The police also stretched barbed wires across the road in front of the press club building to abet the protesters.

“We used no force to disperse the protesters,” said a two-star police official, Muhammad Wali. “We negotiated with them with the help of journalists and other people to persuade them to open the road,” he said, standing on the blocked road. The officer argued police were there to provide security to the MPAs and protesters. “You know terror attacks are a threat,” he added.

Sher Shah Suri is a narrow but major road for private and public transport in the city. The Khyber Road that runs in front of the Corps Commander residence has already been banned for public transport. The traffic was diverted to the crowded Shooba Bazaar that caused traffic jams.

MPA Arif Yousaf said they had been protesting for the sake of people. Their action, though, caused problems to people. The PTI MPA said the protest was against the federal government against excessive power and gas load-shedding and ban on flour supply to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the Punjab. “We don’t want to create problems for the people by blocking the road. Though it remained blocked for an hour, we reopened it,” he said.

Are roads a forum for you to highlight your demands? The MPA first stonewalled the question. However, when the question was repeated, he said they had raised the issue in the provincial assembly and would continue to bring it up. “We have decided to start every session of the provincial assembly by taking up the issue of load-shedding,” he added.

The MPAs and the disruptive protesters had full backing of their government, according to Arif Yousaf. The PTI chief minister will join future protests. “We will besiege the Wapda House to pressure them to end excessive load-shedding,” said MPA Fazl Elahi. “There seems to be no other way,” he said in a threatening tone.

The people who suffered had many questions. Why did they not protest outside the Chief Minister Secretariat? Why did they not block road leading to the Chief Minister Secretariat? Why did they not launch their protest in front of the Wapda House?

Senior lawyer Latif Afridi said while they had the right to protest and assembly, the law did not allow them to block the road. “It does not make sense to launch protest against the federal government on a road in Peshawar,” he said. “If they really want to protest against Nawaz Sharif, they should do it in Punjab,” he added.

People in Peshawar, he said, were already in trouble and this protest added to it. He said it was not the way to vent disapproval over load-shedding and suggested the provincial government to take up the issue at the right forum. “Talk to the federal government or launch protest in the National Assembly where the PTI has representation,” he said. “Roads are not the forum the rulers should use,” he suggested.

How dual offices, poor election campaign stripped PTI of NA-1?

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) surrendered the keenly-watched NA-1 seat before the polling day primarily due to the chaos in the party.

The PTI didn’t appear making efforts to win election against Awami National Party (ANP) heavyweight Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, who had been all-time favourite on the seat until he was humbled by the PTI chairman Imran Khan.

One reason that the party failed to run an effective election campaign was its leaders’ dual offices. Almost all the PTI leaders hold offices both in the party and the government. Hardly any leader had remained in the party who could spearhead the election campaign as all enjoy key positions in the government that legally disallows them to participate in election campaign.

PTI Secretary General Pervez Khattak is the chief minister of the province. The provincial president of the party, Asad Qaiser, holds the office of the speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. The provincial general secretary, Shaukat Yousafzai, and president of Peshawar region are both cabinet members.

The legal predicament caused by dual offices badly affected the campaign for Gul Badshah as these leaders were unable to give it an impetus and there were no other office-bearers who could take on the responsibility. “Had the party office-bearers not been part of the government, the situation would have been different,” said a PTI leader, Zahid Hussain. “A seat won with such a huge margin would not have been lost in this manner,” he added.

After the May 11 general election, the party debated the dual offices of the chief minister, speaker and ministers and suggested them to quit one office, preferably the party office. However, Pervez Khattak and others showed unwillingness to leave party positions to other leaders and Imran Khan appeared reluctant to force them. That has dented the party’s support in the by-election and might cause problems for the PTI in future.

Ishtiaq Urmar, the PTI information secretary, didn’t receive calls from this correspondent to explain the party’s stance on its weak election campaign and dual offices. He also didn’t respond to a text message. Yaseen Khalil, the PTI district Peshawar president and adviser to chief minister was “in a meeting.” MPA Arif Yousaf also avoided calls.

Except Imran Khan, who delivered a curt address at a rally in Peshawar on August 18, no other leader was able to hold public meeting to drum up support for the weak candidate, thanks to dual offices. If there was any interest of Pervez Khattak and Asad Qaiser, it was in their native districts where their close relatives were contesting election. And the party won those two National Assembly seats.

An effective election drive would have compensated for the wrong decision to award ticket to a controversial and unknown person. The award of ticket pushed the party into irreversible chaos. “The estranged real workers who were so dejected by the party decision that they didn’t come out of homes,” Zahid Hussain said. He urged Imran Khan to give respect to the ideological workers and engage them in party affairs.

The provincial leaders allowed divisions within the party to develop over the nomination instead of rectifying the decision. And worse, these leaders further estranged the competitors for ticket by heaping scorn on them instead of winning them over. The PTI provincial leaders ignored the dissidents, many of whom were old party leaders.

Once the unchangeable decision of awarding ticket to Gul Badshah was made, his election campaign was the next important stage. But the party leadership appeared to have surrendered in advance. The PTI failed to run an effective campaign for the by-election the way it did in the May 11 general election.

The party appeared complacent, probably because of the record votes Imran Khan had bagged in this constituency on May 11. The PTI created a wave in the general election through an aggressive campaign as election vans drove in streets playing party songs, ‘tabdeeli razakar’ intruded people at homes, in shops, streets and all other places to persuade them to vote for Imran Khan.

Spirited young workers took out boisterous processions to catch people’s attention and to create an environment of victory before election. Youngsters, irrespective of party affiliations, were impressed so much that they exhibited unswerving passion that pushed them to start unsolicited and unplanned electioneering.But all this was missing in the PTI’s election for by-polls. It was surprising to see that the PTI had no camp offices outside many polling stations in the by-election.

Of the keenly observed polls and people's disinterest

Delawar Jan

PESHAWAR: On May 11, just three and a half months ago, voters formed long snaking queues to participate in election, but that sight was missing on Thursday during by-election on NA-1.

The inflow of voters, both male and female, was consistently thin. At polling stations visited, not a single line of even two or three voters was witnessed till 1pm, an indication of low turnout. On May 11, people waited in lines for a long time for their turn but on August 22 it was the polling staff that waited for the voters. “In general election, I had to wait for 45 minutes to cast vote. Today, it took me only five minutes,” said a voter in Faqirabad.

“The polling staff inside is swatting flies,” said a police official manning gate of a polling station in Quaidabad locality of the city. “That shows voters have no interest in the process,” he added.

Inside the polling station, the booths were in place. The polling staff sat with papers in their hands, but there was no voter to cast vote. The staff had no work to do and gazed at each other faces. “Individuals come intermittently,” Presiding Officer Najma Shafiq said about voters’ inflow. The situation was: registered voters 927, polled 49, time12:01pm.

At another polling station in Bhanamari, 108 had polled out of 1,300 registered votes till 12:25pm. In the adjacent polling station number 224, only 68 votes had polled out 1,070 till12:28pm.

Election camps did not see rush. Enthusiasm for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, seen on May 11, was nowhere. Even at some polling stations, they had no camps. Spirited young voters who had created a wave in the general election did not figure in support of Imran Khan’s PTI, an apparent disillusion with the party.

“I voted for the candidate who would not forsake us, who is from this area and who can solve our problems,” said an ageing woman, draped in black burqa. PTI’s Gul Bacha was said to be an Afghan national, an allegation that came from members of his own party.

Voters and polling staff mostly expressed satisfaction over the process of election. All presiding officers interviewed at different polling stations had faced no security problem. “The process is smooth and peaceful so far,” said a presiding officer at a polling station in Wazirbagh.

No major terror incident occurred in the city during the polling in Peshawar, a city that has been the target of relentless attacks of militants. General election in May saw bloodshed in Peshawar as militants targetted election campaign, including a suicide attack on Ghulam Bilour.

Strict security measures were taken to protect polling stations. The buildings housing polling stations were corralled and streets leading to them closed to stop entry of irrelevant people. Police officials and troops were deployed in all polling stations to ensure full security to the staff and voters. Officials said seven to 10 troops were deployed in every polling station who patrolled streets near polling stations, manned entrances and watched polling staff and voters.

“We are satisfied with the security arrangements,” said Arif, an ANP activist, at Government High School No.3 city.

There were reports that troops disallowed journalists, particularly photographers and cameramen, to enter polling stations at some localities. “We have no issue with you but have orders from the senior officers,” a soldier explained at a polling station in Quaidabad. A senior photographer went from polling station to polling station in the hope to take a shot of a voter casting vote.

He was not allowed and got frustrated. No officer was at polling stations to explain why media was being stopped from covering the process as ECP said journalists could visit polling stations. “I was stopped from entering the polling station in Mohalla Khudadad. A soldier told me ‘you can talk to people outside’,” said a reporter. However, some photojournalists managed to take snaps inside the polling stations.

A woman voter railed against the Election Commission of Pakistan for providing wrong information about vote. “In four polling stations, I failed to locate my vote,” said Anbareen Gul in Bhanamari.