Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had decided in principle on July 4 to approve the deployment of the armed forces in aid of the civil administration to enhance security at sensitive installations across the country under Article 245 of the Constitution. He had taken this decision after consulting his close aides during a high-level meeting.
Today, the interior ministry – acting on reliable information about possible terrorist attacks - announced the implementation of the constitutional clause in the capital. This will give army control over Islamabad's law and order situation for three months.
Article 245
The article which deals with the functions of the armed forces states:
(1) The armed forces shall, under the directions of the federal government, defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so.
(2) The validity of any direction issued by the federal government under Clause (1) shall not be called into question in any court.
(3) A high court shall not exercise any jurisdiction under Article 199 in relation to any area in which the armed forces of Pakistan are, for the time being, acting in aid of civil power in pursuance of Article 245: Provided that this clause shall not be deemed to affect the jurisdiction of the high court in respect of any proceeding pending immediately before the day on which the armed forces start acting in aid of civil power.
(4) Any proceedings in relation to an area referred to in Clause (3) instituted on or after the day the armed forces start acting in aid of civil power and pending in any high court shall remain suspended for the period during which the armed forces are so acting.
PTI rally
Furthermore, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has said that the decision as to whether to allow Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to hold their rally in Islamabad will be taken after they file a permission letter.
Army not taking over security of Capital
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid in a statement said the impression that Army will take over security of the capital is wrong.
“The decision was taken to provide constitutional cover to earlier responsibilities given to army troops of securing sensitive installations in wake of operation Zarb-e-Azb,” he said. The minister added that these responsibilities were given to deal only with terrorists and anti-state elements and not to hurdle or stop any political activity.
COMMENTS (37)
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Karachi, Quetta & KP need Army under 245 not Islamabad....whenever during PPP rule, demand for Army was put forward by MQM especially, it was rejected by all including PML N...why ? why today ? it means the govt has failed to protect the capital ? I am not a fan of PPP but it handled Dr TuQ rally in Dec 2014 very well without the help of Army...it must be appreciated that they are more politically matured to handle problems than PML N.
Political analysts are skeptical about the latest move of beleaguered Sharif government because currently the relations between all-powerful army and the civilian government are tense for a number of reasons with popular sentiments with the army and against the government for failed governance. Nawaz Sharif is desperately trying to mend fences with the establishment by enlisting support of foreign powers like Saudi Arabia, the US and UK. Analysts are fearful that the present civilian dispensation is totally incapable to lead the country in trying times and the the country is heading towards another military takeover.
A dangerous move, but a vital change of plans to stop the insane IK & TUQ from disrupting the affairs of govt at a time when the Army is officially at war.
@Rex Minor : France is a civilised country, and there is no comparison to Pakistan. Mr. IK and Qadri have now openly threatened to topple the government, and state has every right to use article 245 to stop that from happening. I am no fan of PML-N, but we don't need belligerent, and delusional politicians like IK at the helm either who will for sure make Pakistan the Third Reich, and push the democratic process back a hundred years.
@ rexminor there is never any intention to derail democracy. Look how Zia got into power. Do not repeat history. Westren Europe has found ways of expressing their opinions. People in power do resign when significant disapproval is present. Not so in Pakistan. People need to find a solution which may be unique to local temperament but stay within the laws. Do not be exploited .
If there is a serious threat, then why government holding parade on 14th August. Something smell fishy
Is it me or other also see the similarity between the actions of Musharraf and NS?
@Karachitte: Because you are dealing with the leadership of 80's graplling with the problems of the 21st century. Besides, the karachiwalas might have an enlightened leadership versus the Punjabiwalas?
Rex Minor
@Zee:
No sir, you do not support any violence! It is the violence of the State which attracts violence from the public in a democracy. Let me quote an example, the French President and his interior minister disallowed the protest march against Israel carnage in Gaza. Nevertheless, the Protesters ignored the ban and confronted the police who then charged at each other turning into an ugly riot, resulting in attacks on the synagogue and jewish shops. The Government reconsidered and later allowed the protest march in Paris last wedneday which was orderly and peaceful and without any disturbances.
Rex Minor
There are bigger threats in Khi every day, lets call out the army there as well.
On this basis its justified.
I'm most intrigued by the height of incompetence and misplaced priorities of this government: while Karachi was burning last 1 year no section 245 but when your own seating is getting threatened, then you use article 245. I'm sorry this is an injustice to people of Pakistan and citizens of Karachi. We need the army out dammit not the peace enjoying people of Islamabad.
@salman: Yes it is but have you hard a saying everything looks good on it's time. This is not the right time as i mentioned the reason above and earlier when it was time PTI did not do any such kind of marches.
@Rex Minor So you mean to say we should support the "Gullu Butt" violence :)
@ih: I can understand your long winded narrative but what is the alternative to democracy, freedom of expression and 'NO' to military rule? As an observer, I have a simple proposal, Mr Nawaz Sharif and his entire team resign, giving opportunity to the formation of a National unity Government whose priority task will be to reform the country's institution including the nationalisation of its military. It is the survival of the State which is at risk now.
Rex Minor
@Dr.M.M.Khan: At least do those who practice medicle profession, the favour and delete your title when you support military violence.
Rex Minor
As everybody knows war is raging on the western front, do you really need a central front as well? Inflame people who will destroy public and private property attack police ,get killed Imran will be fine, Quadri will go to canada. What will be the end result ? Residing 8000 lies away I do not see what do you gain by maligning judiciary ? Which recently has served the country well. Imran can show how to govern well, by doing well in K.P. But that will be constructive, very difficult to do. To the credit of govt the move to invoke army,s help is within the bounds of constitution. Good luck to Pakistan,s exploited masses. God save the country from self styled revolutionary leaders. They have not studied the human cost of French Russian and chinese revolution. May it is time to got school.
The myth of good governance.
Safety and security of human life is of prime importance at the time political agitation. Many sub groups of Taliban will be waiting for right moment to attack the mass gathering of public. safety and security of public is prime responsibility of govt. under the constitution. The of govt. is appreciated
@jahangir chauhan: If the war on terror and IDPs are so important then NS, Asif Zardari sb,Fazul Haq sb should not be away from the country...serving poor people especially IDPs is by itself ibadat....
@strategist: @QADRI THE GREAT: @lol: @BeingPatriotic:
Do you think your leaders work on foreign agenda and we let them do... We know there is conspiracy against Pakistan to create situation favourable 4 islamic State Militants (puppets). We all Pakistanis will stand with our Democratic elected government N Our Pak Army.. And never let any one to create situation Like Iraq and Syria... Together we r Stronger we R.
A political thriller starring politicians of the Punjab. The vision, maturity, sense of responsibility and restrain, all on display
@jahangir chauhan: Isn't rigging elections against national interests?
OK. Now SS has to invoke 245 to save Punjab from IK and Qadri. What the brothers need to remember is that the brass hats will ask for quid pro quo (not nescessarily in monetary terms).
PPP launched operation in Swat yet no army was called in Islamabad.
This Government is so incompetent that they can't even secure capital city! What will happen to the rest of the country?
This is the most incompetent government in Pak history.
As to the political motive, this government is shamelessly trying to have confrontation between protesters and army.
Whenever corrupt rulers resort to such cheap tactics, they ultimately pay the price.
Nawaz Sharif is digging his own grave fast.
The Cricketer will still have his march. Qadri will still do his march. Nawaz need to come back from Saudia. And face the music.
Security of masses are more important then doing marches specially at the time when homeland is fact ng challenges i n at of war on our own territory with more then I guess million IDP's in the country. Authorities needs to be careful specially those are supporting these kind of activities. Please wake up and stand for national interests then for some party interests.
It's a big sigh of relief for IK and Qadri. Secretly they must be thanking pmln coming to their rescue.
If I recall correctly, President Iskandar Mirza had invited the Army to take charge due to law and order problems in the country. In the end the Army decided that they needed to control the country for a longer period to 'sort the problems out". So the Army stayed from 1958 to 1972.
@Dr.MM Khan Thank you. Now we know your IQ so we should treat you accordingly
Even a person with an I.Q of less than 50 can understand the rational behind this implementaion of article 245. The army is being used for political purposes. PTI has become a 800 pounds guereilla in the room.
Long history of PML N involving army into civilian matters continue and the final result we all know but then they will rant about what has happened to them..
So, back to same typical tactics. Good one but that will not stop you loosing your fraud & illegal Government.
Excellent move! Let's see what Mr.Qadri and Imran Khan will do now. They have to cancel their long march.
Nothing can stop the great Qadri's revolution. This is all drama. Where are these threat reports when Mehran attack happens? It's only there to stop a peaceful revolution to bring a change.
PMLN calls upon army to help them against Azadi march lol. I can bet my life that nobody will come out for Nawaz Shariff if he's removed, it would be the other way around. NS, not even army can save your govt once people are on the roads, we're done with ppp & pmln for good!
All hail to the King Army ... easiest escape way Noon League can find to avoid IK's long march.