Interior Ministry of Pakistan on Wednesday has approved army deployment in federal capital Islamabad, eastern Punjab province and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to address the law and order situation following the arrest of former prime minister and chief of political party Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan.
The notification issued by the Interior Ministry stated that the federal government was “pleased to authorize the deployment of army troops and assets for maintaining the law and order situation across Punjab in aid of civil power”.
They added that the government took the decision to exercise the powers conferred under Article 245 of the Constitution.
The exact number of troops, date, and area of deployment would be worked out by the provincial government in consultation with the Military Operations Directorate, General Headquarters, said the ministry.
The notification further said Pakistan Army has been handed over to Punjab government and military will assist the district administrations to maintain law and order across the province. After the notification, troops of the Pakistan military reportedly reached the federal capital.
The capital police in a message said, “All those who are spreading incitement are requested to stop,” and requested women and children to refrain from travelling.
Moreover, Pakistan military’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a press release on Wednesday distanced itself from the arrest of former PM Imran Khan.
It declared that any further attack on all the law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces, military and state installations and properties will be responded to strongly.
The ISPR further said that facilitators, planners and political activists involved in these operations have been identified and strict action will be taken against them as per law and all these such elements will now be responsible for the consequences.
Earlier in the day, at least three people were killed and over 27 others were injured on Wednesday in violent protests across Pakistan on the second day of the arrest of the PTI Chief.
Source: Kuwait News Agency
