The Imran Khan-led party, which is scheduled to hold an Long March in Islamabad on August 14, discussed the issue at its core committee meeting held in Islamabad today.
“The PTI's core committee stated that it would not, under any circumstances, accept the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government invoking Article 245, calling in the army in support of the federal government in Islamabad,” said PTI Information Secretary Shireen Mazari in a statement issued after the meeting.
The party called the move an attempt by the government to use the army against political opponents and said that if the PML-N chose to go ahead with the decision, it reserved the right to approach the Supreme Court.
“If the government thinks of using Article 245 again [in] Islamabad [on] August 14, PTI reserves the right to go to the SC,” the core committee warned.
The PTI noted that it would be a sensible political decision if the government withdrew its invocation of Article 245.
Furthermore, the party stated that for the PML-N government to concede its failure to protect the capital, its citizens and sensitive installations itself, is a direct admission of its failure.
“A democratic sitting government does not resort to Article 245, as it effectively signals an admission of failure to govern and maintain law and order to protect citizens,” said the statement.
It added that it is also a clear sign that the PML-N government is, in desperation, trying to cover rigging in the May 11, 2013 elections, by seeking to use Article 245.
“If the PML-N government is seeking to place PTI's Azadi March in direct confrontation with the army, it is a dangerous tactic, and also futile since the PTI has always maintained a culture of peaceful protests and marches,” the core committee further said.
It is unethical and unacceptable for the PML-N government to try and draw in the army into what is clearly a democratic political protest, it added.
Furthermore, the party said that the army is a national institution -- not a tool for the PML-N to use against its political opponents.
PTI's core committee also pointed out that the PML-N's own long march took place just before the Swat Operation, during which they claimed it was their democratic right to do so, and added that Article 245 was not invoked at the time.
COMMENTS (24)
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On one hand PTI does not believe in SC and alleges it to steal the elections for NS. At the same time they are threatening to go to SC! They have to decide whether they trust in this institution or not?
@Hafiz Shah Ali: Hafiz Sahib. How can you support an illegal government? You've memorized the Qur'an. How many mentions of justice are there in the Qur'an? Was justice done in the elections? Is the current government delivering justice? What happened when PTI sought justice in Parliament, courts and tribunals? Firing honest people from high posts and replacing them with corrupt people, is that justice? One rule for the rich and influential and another for the poor, is that justice? PTI is the movement for justice and it will fight for it and we will support it al the way, In Sha'Allah .
@Ch. Allah Daad: An illegal government needs to be overthrown. Plain and simple.
If PTI doesn't plan to be involved in violent protest and mayhem on 14 August then it has nothing to worry about Army being deployed to safeguard public property and mantain law and order and keep an eye on terrorists who could exploit such a crowded event.
On the other hand if PTI is/was planning to create mayhem and indulge in violent protest disrupting public life and destroying their property then obviously it should be very worried that Army is being deployed for safety of public.
Nawaz Shareef went to saudia in a commercial flight, Because he only needed a one-way ticket.never to return back
@Mushahid Hussain: Its wrong to compare Mian Sahib's long march with Imran's long march. Mian Sahib's long march was to restore Judges only while Imran Khan want to overthrow entire government.
Not matter what you say
PTI all the way!!!
Dear PTI stop threatening and take the govt to court for observing the Constitution of Pakistan under which all and sundry work including the SC oh what a grave crime they have committed they surely must be punished for invoking a provision of the constitution of Pakistan how dare they.
@Ch. Allah Daad:
No one is waging a war against a state. Such marches have been exercised lately and were not considered a war against state. Relax and watch the show on 14. I bet you won't see a single anti state activity there, however you may see some dusts against current government
@Blithe:
I doubt that IK is confusing the nation. His request for 4 constituencies was legitimate and reasonable. Now what N league is doing and hiding under stay order is confusing the nation such that majority of people are confused why they are not addressing PTI concerns. If root causes are assessed, no one will get confused.
It's the government's prerogative . The army reports to the government - not the other way .
"Dear Leader" IK is too thick to understand democracy . He is confusing the country and threaten to take over the national capital. PTI is using the language of miscreants and the government is rightfully being cautious . Islamabad is a small city where our national institutions are headquartered.
We cannot let a small minority party take over the capital and create hooliganism . The KPK chief minister has already used threatening language against the state.
Pakistan Zindabad!
This is also a daring challenge to the military commanders and the COAS, who though recognise the role of the National Assembly and the elected civilian administration, they certainly would not go into the role of a private militia and act against the political opponents of the Government.
Rex Minor
Shirin Mazari: if you don't accept the system as your leader speaks every time it shouldn't matter how government deals with you.Go and bring revolution if you can why looking for excuses.
Mr. Khan wasn't concerned when Tahir Ul Qadri wanted to use the Army as a tool to overthrow the Government.
“A democratic sitting government does not resort to Article 245, as it effectively signals an admission of failure to govern and maintain law and order to protect citizens,” said the statement. This is a lot coming from someone who doesn't believe the sitting Government is democratic.
How thankless are these pti walas instead of being gracefull to the government for face saving they are crying...well may be for public consumption.
PTI don't trust parliament then why they nominated three members for parliament committee for transparent election as they are protesting on streets with a mantra of not getting any thing from parliament. Completely playing with the emotions of public. Confused party
What if PPP had done the same against PML-N's long march to restore the CJ ?
Have some patience Nawaz Sharif, Zardari had some and it did him good.
PTI should stop throwing tantrums.
It is provided in the Constitution that the Government under Article 245 can seek assistance of Army for short duration to protect the citizens and maintain law and order
@Usman:
Appreciate that you have addressed him with his full name. Few educated persons here at ET frequently use "Someone should tell this Guy" when they have not convincing to say. Hope others will follow you while addressing someone
People of Pakistan should stay calm.. we should ask to people of syria, what confrontation gave to syrian people... Only devastation. I believe supreme court judges do understand well about foreign conspiracy against Pakistan and PTI role in it.
Someone should tell Imran that its duty of armed forces to protect integrity and solidarity of the country. If someone threatens to wage war against State, everyone must rise to fight against those intruders and miscreants. Army's turn will come in the end, first these intruders will face the wall of patriot citizens.
I hope Army will remain neutral and will not drag itself in this dirty politics of Sharif mafia. Let the people handle this mafia and their supporters in judicary on 14th August.
Someone should tell Nawaz Sharif this is not Egypt or Bahrain. Don't use the Army as a tool against peaceful protest. Looks like he's going to KSA to get some tips on how to quash dissent. This is Pakistan Mr. Sharif Sahab. Don't take cues from dictators in the Middle East.