The caretaker government has hinted at suspending the internet service on Election Day amid incidents of violence in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“So far, there has been no decision made regarding this [suspension of internet services at any place],” interim Interior Minister Gohar Ijaz said at a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday. He was accompanied by caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi.

“If there is any request from any district or province then it will be seen according to that district and province and what is the threat there,” said Gohar and added that terrorists operate through a communication system through WhatsApp.

He went on to add that the government has established centres which are monitoring the situation.

More than 128 million people would cast their votes on February 8. It would be the fourth time the South Asian country would vote for a democratic government after the end of former president General (retd) Musharraf’s martial law era.

The government has vowed to hold elections on the date at all costs despite the recent attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

As many as 511,000 police personnel have been deployed for duty, he said and added that the government wanted the safety of the people.

“My point is the safety of even a single person is our first step so whatever needs to be done whatever situation comes in we will do all those things. We will hold elections transparently and peacefully.”

He clarified that any step would be taken on merit. “No other reason,” Ejaz said and added that the government would ensure the safety of the citizens.

At the press conference, he also said that the caretaker government would not allow anyone to disrupt the election process.

“We will not let anyone cast [an ill-intentioned] gaze at our national security,” he said and stated that facial recognition technology was being used for security purposes.

Ejaz said an average of seven to eight security personnel would be deployed at each of the 90,777 polling stations throughout the country which had been divided into three categories — normal, sensitive, and highly sensitive.

Solangi said that elections would be held despite all the specualtions.