ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Saturday approved the deployment of Pakistan Army troops in Rawalpindi for six months under Article 245 of the Constitution.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, the deployment was approved on the request of the Home Department of the Punjab government.
The notification stated that the federal government had authorised the deployment of three companies of the Pakistan Army for sensitive security duties in Rawalpindi.
The move, according to the notification, was intended to prevent any undesirable situation and enable an effective response to any unforeseen circumstances in coordination with the district administration.
The decision comes after an armed man was killed following an alleged exchange of fire with security forces on Mall Road in Rawalpindi. A patrolling officer was reportedly injured in the incident.
The incident occurred at around 11:15am when the armed man, identified as Muhammad Hussain, allegedly opened fire at security personnel before being killed in retaliatory firing.
According to Pakistan Television News, citing security sources, the alleged attacker was a resident of Khyber district and was described as an active member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Following the incident, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticised PTI and accused the party of encouraging violence and unrest. He said there was no justification for anyone to open fire on a security official and alleged that weapons had been carried during previous protests.
The development comes amid heightened political tensions, with PTI having earlier announced plans for a long march towards Islamabad on September 27.
The party had also observed a nationwide “black day” on the third anniversary of its founder Imran Khan’s imprisonment, demanding his release, restoration of what it described as constitutional rule and public mandate, and relief from inflation.
Opposition leaders recently reiterated the call for the long march and announced plans to approach the Supreme Court over what they described as the government’s failure to fully implement a court order concerning Imran Khan’s medical treatment.
The latest deployment adds another layer to the security arrangements in Rawalpindi amid the prevailing political tensions and preparations for future political activity.
