Monitoring Desk
Federal government through a notification on Saturday approved the deployment of Army troops under article 245 in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Punjab for smooth conduction of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit from October 15-16, 2024.
According to the sources, the federal government had completed the security measures in Islamabad particularly in D-Chowk through the army deployment under the article 245. The authorities had already taken action in response to the deteriorating law and order situation in the twin cities after KPK CM Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI workers attacked on Islamabad.
Reportedly, the army deployment has been enforced in the twin cities from October 5 to 17, 2024 in connection with the upcoming SCO summit. Under the article 245, army has been given powers to take action and arrest miscreants, if the situation becomes tense. As per a notification in this regard, the army will have the powers to take action, but the use of force will be minimized. The army will maintain law and order situation during the SCO summit in collaboration with the police.
Earlier, Islamabad Capital Territory chief commissioner made a formal request for the army deployment by stating, “the Federal Government, in exercise of the powers conferred under Article 245 of Constitution, 1973, and under Sections 4 & 5 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, is pleased to authorize deployment of requisite strength of Pakistan Army in aid of civil power from 5th to 17th October, 2024, in ICT, for maintaining the law and order situation with respect to 23rd meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government and visits of VVIP delegation for the said meeting.”
Punjab government also issued a notification after the federal government deployed army troops in Islamabad to ensure security. Punjab home department said in a notification regarding army deployment, “for maintaining law and order and providing security to foreign delegates during 23rd meeting of SCO Council of Heads of States, armed forces in conjunction with civil armed forces and police will be deployed around the air base/airport, routes, venues, accommodation etc. falling within the territorial jurisdiction of the Punjab.”
