Army called out to secure Red Zone

Decision taken for the protection of important government buildings, says interior ministry statement

ISLAMABAD:

The army was called out in the federal capital in the wee hours of Thursday to protect government buildings in the Red Zone in the wake of violence before and after the arrival of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march in the federal capital.

The interior ministry said in a notification that troops were deployed under Article 245 of the Constitution with immediate effect. The notification said that number of troops would be determined in consultation with the Islamabad administration.

Earlier, violence erupted as the PTI chairman and former prime minister led the march from Peshawar, while more caravans came from other cities, despite government’s attempts to stop them.

“Pursuant to the law and order situation in the Islamabad Capital Territory, the Federal Government, in exercise of powers conferred under Article 245 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is pleased to authorize deployment of sufficient strength of troops of Pakistan Army in Red Zone,” said the interior ministry notification.

Read more: PTI long march reaches Islamabad following day-long battle with law enforcers

It said that deployment “with immediate effect and until further orders” was aimed at assisting the civilian authorities in protecting important Government buildings. “The exact number of troops to be deployed will be worked out by the Pakistan Army authorities in consultation with ICT Administration,” the notification added.

The Red Zone of Islamabad houses important government buildings, including Supreme Court, Parliament House, Presidency, Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister House, PTV HQs, Pakistan Secretariat, and the Diplomatic Enclave.