Pak imposes ‘ martial law’ in Islamabad

Talking to reporters here, the interior minister said that the security of Islamabad will be handed over to the armed forces from August 1 for a period of three months

Pakistan on Friday imposed a de- facto minimartial law in Islamabad for the next three months as Army was called to maintain law and order.

“Interior ministry has invoked Article 245 of the Constitution in Islamabad for next three months. Under this article, the Army has been given powers to maintain law and order in the federal capital”, said interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Talking to reporters here, the interior minister said that the security of Islamabad will be handed over to the armed forces from August 1 for a period of three months.

“The Army has been called in to maintain law and order from August till October”, he added.

Article 245 which deals with the functions of the armed forces states says that “armed forces shall, under the directions of the federal government, defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so.”

The decision will give the Army control over Islamabad’s law and order situation ahead of a key protest march announced by Pakistan Tehreek- e- Insaf ( PTI) chief Imran Khan on August 14.

It is widely believed that the decision to invoke article 245 was taken to thwart the rally of Mr Imran who threatened on Thursday that the march would seal the fate of the government. Mr Khan is protesting over alleged rigging in 2013’ s general election.

Regarding Mr Imran Khan’s long march the minister said that the Pakistan Tehrik- e- Insaf ( PTI) has not submitted any application to Islamabad’s deputy commissioner in this regard.

“The decision to allow PTI will be taken after the party formally requests to hold long march”, he added.

Officials said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had decided in principle on July 4 to approve the deployment of the armed forces in aid of the civil administration to enhance security at sensitive installations across the country under Article 245 of the Constitution.

He had taken this decision after consulting his close aides during a high- level meeting.