ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to extend invitations to international observers for the upcoming elections.
The ECP has also tasked the ministry with expediting the visa processing, ensuring that the observers can swiftly arrive in Pakistan within a week.
The directions for the Interior Ministry came during an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Election Commission Secretariat in Islamabad to evaluate the preparations for the upcoming general elections and to discuss the invitation extended to international observers.
Presiding over the meeting, ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan emphasised the ECP's commitment to transparency by inviting international observers from around the world to oversee Pakistan's elections.
The secretary issued directives to the Interior Ministry and other relevant departments, instructing them to prioritise the safety of international observers and resolve any security-related matters within a two-week timeframe.
To facilitate the international observers, including media representatives, the Federal Board of Revenue was assigned the responsibility of exempting them from customs duties for their equipment and essentials, while providing necessary support.
An action committee has been established to oversee and report on the progress of these efforts every 15 days.
The joint election commissioners from the four provinces, who have been designated as focal points for matters related to the observers, also participated in the meeting.