ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interior ministry on Saturday authorized the deployment of three Pakistan Army companies in the garrison city of Rawalpindi for six months for “sensitive security duties” and to respond to any unforeseen situation, an official notification said.
The circular issued by the interior ministry said the army companies were being deployed under Article 245 of the Pakistani constitution in response to a request made by the Punjab Home Department. Article 245 deals with the functions of the Pakistan Armed Forces and their deployment in aid of civil power.
“The Federal Government is pleased to authorize deployment of 3x companies of Pakistan Army for sensitive security duties in Rawalpindi,” the circular said. “To avoid any undesirable situation as well as to respond effectively in any unforeseen situation as per requirement of the district administration for a period of six months with immediate effect.”
While the notification did not elaborate what “sensitive security duties” the soldiers would perform, the development takes place days after Pakistani security forces killed a man identified as a member of former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan’s information minister said the alleged PTI supporter was killed on Aug. 11 after he attacked a convoy of security forces in Rawalpindi, who responded.
The PTI responded by demanding a judicial inquiry into the incident and reiterated that it had never supported any form of violence.
The shooting took place as Khan’s party prepares for a Sept. 27 “long march” to Islamabad. The party is demanding Khan’s release from prison, vowing it would result in a major mobilization in the capital.
Past protests by the PTI in May 2023 and one in November 2024 to demand Khan’s release from prison triggered clashes with law enforcers.
