Karachi: The authorities in Pakistan have declared more than 40 percent of the port city of Karachi as sensitive for the crucial January 8 elections to the National and provincial assemblies.

Sources said that security agencies in Pakistan believe that about 1,000 polling stations out of the 3,547 to be "highly sensitive". More than 40 percent of Pakistan's largest city Karachi, including Shah Faisal Town, Landhi Town, Gulberg Town, Lyari Town, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, Jamshed Town, North Nazimabad Town, Liaquatabad Town and New Karachi Town, is seen to be sensitive for the forthcoming elections scheduled early next month.

Though the overall situation is under control and there is no possibility of terrorist attacks, army personnel will be deployed in sensitive areas and at polling stations, Hamid Nawaz Khan, federal caretaker Home Minister, was quoted as saying by the Daily Times newspaper today. City Police Officer Azhar Ali Farooqui said the police have finished their homework, with security plans expected to be completed soon for the crucial elections in Pakistan, where an emergency rule was imposed on November 3 by President Pervez Musharraf.

The former general, who doffed off his military uniform, was sworn in as civilian president on November 29 and has promised to lift emergency rule on December 15, ahead of the polls in January.

Source : PTI