ISLAMABAD, May 10 : As protests against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s arrest entered the second day, the federal government requisitioned army troops to maintain law and order in Punjab.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, the army troops’ deployment has been requested under Article 245 of the Constitution and Section 4(3)(ii) of Anti Terrorism Act 1997.
“The exact number of troops or assets, date and area of deployment will be worked out by the provincial government in consultation with” the military officials, the orders stated.
“The date of de-requisitioning of said deployment will be decided subsequently after mutual consultation among the stakeholders,” it added.
Ex-PM Imran was arrested by the Rangers paramilitary force at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday.
Despite protests erupting across the country condemning the arrest, the government has backed the development maintaining it was in accordance with law.
Meanwhile, the IHC on Tuesday declared that Imran Khan’s arrest from the court’s premises was carried out legally. Written orders have been issued by the IHC in this regard.
In 2019, then prime minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the Al-Qadir University for Sufism in Sohawa, Jhelum district.
He was, however, later accused of looting Rs50 billion of the national treasury, along with a property tycoon, and getting the Trust registered on 450-kanal.
Notably, the PTI chief’s arrest also came a day after the military warned him against making “baseless allegations” after he again accused a senior officer of plotting to kill him.
The rebuke late Monday underscored how far the PTI chief’s relations have deteriorated with the military, which backed his rise to power in 2018 but withdrew its support ahead of a parliamentary vote of no confidence that ousted him last year.
Widespread protests erupted across the country since the arrest yesterday and roadblocks across cities have increased the difficulties being faced by citizens.
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