Army soldiers have been deployed to Islamabad after the killing of five security personnel and injuries to more 100 others in clashes with ex-premier Imran Khan’s supporters.
Around 380 protesters have been detained so far as Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) activists continue to stage a massive protest in the federal capital.
The Ministry of Interior announced the deployment of the Pakistan Army in Islamabad under Article 245 of the Constitution due to increasing security concerns.
Security forces were direct to act decisively against agitators and miscreants, authorising them to take extreme measures such as shooting rioters at sight.
In a notification, the ministry authorised the Pakistan Army to impose a curfew in any locality, if necessary, to maintain law and order.
The notification came after ‘miscreants’ in a vehicle overran Rangers personnel on the Srinagar Highway, leaving four security officials dead and seven others wounded.
Led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a convoy of PTI supporters had arrived in Islamabad. The convoy also includes Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi.
Additionally, a ban on public gatherings has been imposed in Islamabad, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced tough measures against the protesters.
Late last night, Islamabad police reported they had arrested 380 PTI supporters, and the routes leading to the capital had been closed since Saturday. Social media access has also been restricted.
Why is Khan in custody?
Imran Khan, who has a large number of supporters in the country, was removed from office in 2022 following a no-confidence motion brought by opposition parties.
After months of attempts by the government, he was arrested in May 2023.
Khan and his former foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi were sentenced to 10 years in prison each in the case of leaking state secrets.
In addition, Khan has faced various charges, including corruption and violation of laws during his tenure, receiving a total of 34 years in prison across multiple cases, although he has been granted bail in some cases.
Khan denies the charges and claims they are politically motivated.
sa/mud
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