The federal government has expressed an inability to provide additional funding and security personnel for the upocming provincial assembly elections in KP and Punjab.

The interior ministry has told the Election Commission of Pakistan that rangers and army cannot be appointed for election duties in view of the rising number of terror-related incidents in the country.

The ministry has also said that the security personnel are needed to assist the latest census taking place as well.

The finance ministry has also told the ECP that its request for additional funding to organise elections cannot be entertained due tot worsening economic outlook in the country.

The election commission had reportedly asked for an additional Rs15 billion to organise the elections.

The provincial assemblies in KP and Punjab were dissolved in January. However, the elections have still not been announced by the governors of both provinces, citing the ‘security situation’. Both governors have asked the ECP to consult with law enforcement agencies if elections are possible in the current sitaution.