Army called out in Islamabad

The federal government on Friday called in the army troops in Islamabad, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit and several high-profile visits later this month in the wake of the protest calls given by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The decision to call in the army came on the heels of a complete lockdown of the twin cities because of the PTI's planned protest at D-Chowk - right in front of parliament in the Red Zone - with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur vowing to reach there at any cost.

The army has been deployed in addition to the paramilitary Rangers and Frontier Constabulary personnel. A notification issued by the interior ministry stated that the army would remain in the capital from October 5 to 17 for maintaining law and order situation.

"Federal Government, in exercise of the powers conferred under Article 245 of Constitution, 1973 and under Sections 4 & 5 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, is pleased to authorize deployment of requisite strength of Pakistan Army in aid of civil power from 5th to 17th October, 2024, in ICT," it said.

The notification added that the army had been called in on the request of the chief commissioner Islamabad "for maintaining law and order situation with respect to 23rd meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government and visits of VVIP delegations for the said meeting".

After the notification, Army units took over the security duties in Islamabad. Official sources said that the deployment had been completed, with army troops now stationed across the federal capital and surrounding areas.

A security official stated that their role included patrolling key locations to safeguard citizens and protect public property. "These security measures are essential to protect lives and property, and to ensure peace during this critical period," the official stated.

The PTI protests have led to clashes with police, prompting authorities to take additional steps to control the situation. "No one will be allowed to disrupt the peace or create unrest," another security source stressed, adding that the army's presence was crucial to neutralising any threats.

Meanwhile, army units from K-P were dispatched to support the security operations in Islamabad and surrounding areas. "These deployments are aimed at safeguarding the public and ensuring that law and order prevail," the security official stated.

The back-to-back protest calls by the PTI had pushed the government on its toes, forcing Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to issue a stern warning "that Rangers and Army have been called out and the protesters must think 10 times before coming to the federal capital".

On Thursday, the interior minister conveyed a blunt message to the PTI, saying that no one should complain if they were "dealt with in a certain manner – unsympathetically". He stressed that the police were fully prepared to deal with anyone coming to Islamabad.

Nevertheless, the minister while issuing warning urged K-P Chief Minister Gandapur to review the protest call as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was still in Islamabad and several other high-profile dignitaries were on their way to Pakistan.

However, the chief minister reportedly responded to the review request by saying that if the government wanted the PTI ended protests then it should talk to Imran Khan, who is imprisoned at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.

"Talk to prisoner No.804 if you want PTI to end protests," Gandapur reportedly said on Friday, referring to the PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. He added that he along with PTI workers and supporters would reach D-Chowk at any cost.

On Thursday, Gandapur and other PTI lawmakers had reportedly vowed to attend Friday's rally "at all costs," promising to reach Islamabad even if it took several days. They said that their movement would remain peaceful but warned of a strong response if stopped or confronted by force.

PTI leadership has been giving calls for rallies against what it called the "illegal" imprisonment of the Imran and the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) delay in implementing the Supreme Court's verdict on reserved seats, among other things.

The party claimed that the rallies were being taken out to "save the Constitution" and uphold the rule of law in the country. Nevertheless, the protests have repeatedly led to clashes between the PTI workers and law-enforcement personnel.

Following the general elections, PTI has slowly and gradually build the momentum to hold rallies in different cities. Initially, it wasn't successful in holding a rally outside its stronghold of K-P, but that changed when it managed to hold its first rally outside K-P on September 8.

The second attempt was made to hold a rally in Rawalpindi but it plunged into chaos as the twin cities were locked down with containers and with the deployment of heavy contingents of forces to disperse the PTI leaders, workers and supporters.

This is the third time PTI is trying to hold rally in twin cities. However, keeping the upcoming crucial events in view, the government is all set to respond with full force in order to ensure security of the events and SCO summit.