Pakistan waits as violence is expected during the elections this weekend

PPS Partnership advises clients in Pakistan to be cautious in their movements around the country as the elections draw to a conclusion.  Pakistan is scheduled to hold general elections tomorrow and security has been heightened countrywide.

Campaigning for the elections officially ended on yesterday in order to provide a 48-hour break before polling begins, so today is the lull in what is going on in the country.

Approximately 600,000 security personnel were deployed throughout the country between 3 and 5 May amid a sharp increase in election-related violence in recent weeks, including assassinations and bomb attacks.

For the month of April alone, over 100 election-related fatalities have been reported, although the actual number is likely to be considerably higher.

Ali Haider Gilani, son of former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and member of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), was kidnapped yesterday by unidentified gunmen at a PPP election rally in Multan, Punjab province. The incident is noteworthy, as the city has been less affected by election-related violence than other areas of Pakistan, highlighting the persistent insecurity across the country.

Further security incidents are expected in the immediate run up to the opening of polling stations, during voting and in the immediate aftermath of the election.

RPS Partnership recommends that travel to Pakistan be delayed until after the elections.

If it is vital to travel there or clients are already in country, they are advised to implement robust security measures at all times.

RPS Partnership would advise that election-related facilities, political party offices and state buildings and personnel are avoided as a precaution and it would also be prudent to adapt travel schedules to suit the local situations and to avoid these places until early next week.

Contact RPS Partnership for advice if you need to travel to Pakistan.

Source: Red24

Photos: www.pakistannislam.blogspot.com and www.thenewstribe.com