Due to ongoing political tensions after the dramatic arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman (PTI) Imran Khan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Govt called in Army troops to control the situation.
According to a letter, a requisition was forwarded by the Punjab home minister for the deployment of Pakistan Army troops under Article 245.
Also Read: Islamabad High Court declare Imran Khan’s Arrest constitutionally Legal
The Pakistan Army will assist the district administration in maintaining law and order.
Meanwhile, the army has also been summoned for support in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Ministry of Interior has approved the Punjab government’s request for assistance by sanctioning ten companies of troops, saying: “The army would be working alongside district administration to restore law, order and peace”.
The order issued by the Federal Ministry of Interior stated: “Pursuant to the request made by the Home Department Government of Punjab, vide their letter No.SO(IS-II)3-15/2023 (Security) (1) Dated 9 May 2023, the federal government in excise of powers conferred under article 245 of the constitution and Section 4 (3) (ii) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, (to discharge such functions as specified in the said act), is pleased to authorise the deployment of Pakistan Army troops/assets for maintaining law and order situations across the Punjab province in aid of civil power.”
The exact number of troops/assets, date and area of deployment will be worked out by the provincial government in consultation with the MO Dte, GHQ, it added.
Remember that, law and order in Pakistan especially in Punjab and KP is worsening after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former federal minister Asad Umar was arrested from the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The PTI Secretary General was arrested from the IHC as he reached to file a petition to seek a meeting with PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The former finance minister was arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Squad of the Islamabad police.
Sources said that Umar was arrested under section 16 of the Maintenance of the Public (MPO).
