Pakistan Army deployed in Islamabad amid escalating violence, shoot-on-sight orders issued

ISLAMABAD: The government has deployed the Pakistan Army in Islamabad under Article 245 of the Constitution to assist civil authorities in maintaining law and order, following a sharp rise in violence and attacks on law enforcement agencies in the capital city.

Security sources confirmed the military’s presence, stating that the deployment was triggered by a series of violent incidents, including direct attacks on police and Rangers personnel. As tensions escalated, the government issued shoot-on-sight orders for those engaging in violent activities, including anarchists and miscreants. Authorities have also put in place strict measures to counter potential terrorist acts during the ongoing unrest.

The violence in Islamabad reached new heights on Tuesday morning, when miscreants rammed a vehicle into a group of Rangers personnel on Srinagar Highway, resulting in the tragic deaths of four Rangers officials. Five others, including police and Rangers officers, sustained serious injuries. Security forces also confirmed the martyrdom of two police officers and the injury of over 100 more, with many in critical condition.

The deployment of the army follows rising fears of escalating clashes, particularly as political tensions reached a boiling point with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s ongoing protest march in the capital. PTI workers have been calling for political change, but their protest has turned increasingly violent, leading to clashes with law enforcement agencies.

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Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had warned late on Monday that the government would not hesitate to impose a curfew, seek army assistance, or even explore other extreme measures if the violence continued. He made it clear that protesters would not be allowed to enter Islamabad and warned that any aggression would be met with a decisive response. “If they open fire, the response will be in the form of fire,” Naqvi stated during a press briefing.

The government’s move is backed by Article 245(1) of Pakistan’s Constitution, which allows the armed forces to act in aid of civil power when directed by the federal government. The law ensures that any actions taken under this provision are beyond judicial review, providing the military with the authority to manage the crisis.

In a press briefing, Naqvi suggested that the PTI could hold their protest in Sangjani, a locality on the outskirts of Islamabad, but made it clear that the government would not tolerate attempts to disrupt the capital. He reiterated that the priority was to avoid loss of life, emphasizing that law enforcement would respond decisively to protect the public.

With the army now deployed and authorities on high alert, Pakistan’s government faces a delicate balancing act, seeking to restore order while managing the volatile political situation in Islamabad.