Pak to deploy army in Rawalpindi for sensitive security duties

Pakistan Government has approved the deployment of the army for six months in Rawalpindi at the request of Punjab’s home department for “sensitive security duties”.
“The federal Government, exercising the powers conferred under Article 245 of the Constitution of Pakistan, is pleased to authorise the deployment of three companies of the Pakistan Army for sensitive security duties in Rawalpindi,”  according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control.

It said that the decision was taken “to avoid any undesirable situation as well as to respond effectively in any unforeseen situation as per the requirement of the district administration”.

Article 245 of the Constitution pertains to the deployment of armed forces in aid of civil power.

The decision comes days after a man linked to former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party(PTI) opened fire on security forces and was shot dead in retaliatory firing.  

Citing security sources, State-run PTV News said the assailant was a resident of Khyber district and an “active PTI member”. A PTI flag, bullets and weapons were also recovered from him, it added.PTI distanced itself from the incident, saying it had nothing to do with terrorism and that efforts were being made to link the party to it.