ISLAMABAD: Officials in Pakistan’s federal capital, Islamabad, and the eastern city of Lahore have decided to return the services of army personnel who were deployed in the two urban centers to maintain law and order following the arrest of ex-prime minister Imran Khan last month, stating that the situation is now “satisfactory.”

The army had been deployed in both cities under Article 245 of the constitution to maintain public order after Khan’s supporters, following his arrest in a land fraud case on May 9, engaged in violent protests across the country.

They vandalized government buildings, torched military installations, and set the house of a top army general in Lahore on fire while demanding the release of their leader.

“The Federal Government has deployed the armed forces in aid of civil power under Article 245 of the constitution to maintain the law and order situation in ICT [Islamabad Capital Territory],” a letter from the office of the chief commissioner of Islamabad, a copy of which is available with Arab News, said on Saturday.

“The situation is now satisfactory in the ICT, and it is, therefore, requested that the requisition made... may be denotified in the best interest of the public.”

Meanwhile, the local media reported that the Punjab home department also sent a similar letter to the interior ministry, requesting for the withdrawal of army personnel from Lahore.

Since his removal as prime minister in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence, Khan has accused his political rivals and the army of engineering his ouster under a conspiracy, while demanding early elections. Both the government and the army have denied these allegations.

Following the incidents of May 9 and the subsequent crackdown on his party, the former prime minister has called for talks to resolve the standoff with the military. However, his requests have been turned down by the government.