Pakistan’s Punjab, 10 May Following protests sparked by Imran Khan’s arrest on Tuesday, army forces have been sent to Pakistan’s Punjab province to ensure law and order, according to Dawn.
“Federal Government is pleased to authorise the deployment of Pakistan Army troops/assets for maintaining law and order situation across the Punjab province in aid of civil power,” the Pakistani Ministry of Interior stated in an official order. “Federal Government, in the exercise of the powers conferred under Article 245 of the Constitution and Section 4 (3) (ii) of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (to discharge such functions as specified in the said act),” the order read. According to a notification, “the provincial government will determine the precise numbers of troops/assets, date, and area of deployment in consultation with MO Dte, GHQ.”
followed demonstrations held across the region followed Imran Khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), being detained in the Al-Qadir Trust case, the governments of Punjab and Balochistan on Tuesday imposed Section 144 in their respective provinces.
Following Imran Khan’s arrest, irate protesters attacked government buildings and blocked streets, forcing authorities to implement Section 144.
Khan is being defended by a team of solicitors that includes Khawaja Haris, Barrister Ali Gohar, and Advocate Ali Bukhari while his case against the Al-Qadir University Trust is still being heard by a special accountability court.
The interim government of Punjab has brought in Pakistan Rangers, and the province’s mobile and internet services have been suspended, according to Samaa TV.
Significant decisions were made to address the law and order situation throughout the province in a meeting of the Provincial Intelligence Committee chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department.
In the wake of the ongoing unrest, the Islamabad administration also implemented Section 144 in the capital territory.