Punjab govt summons army to control law & order situation

LAHORE: The government of Punjab has summoned army to control the deteriorating law and order situation in the province, here on Saturday.

According to the notification issued by the provincial government, the army has been deployed at sensitive areas including airports, important roads and routes. Military personnel will also be responsible for the security of foreign dignitaries and their residences.

The army has been given special powers to deal with any situation, including the authority to arrest violators and use aerial firing to warn violators.

The government has also given anti-riot powers to the army to maintain law and order in the province.

Earlier, the Ministry of Interior had issued orders for deployment of troops in Islamabad from October 5 to 17, 2024 under Article 245 of the Constitution to assist the civil authority.

The army has been called in to maintain law and order situation regarding the 23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government and the visits of VVIP delegations to the said meeting.

The military will have all the powers of the police to deal with a tense situation, and the local commander will work closely with the federal police.

The army will have powers to take action against miscreants and arrest them. According to a government circular, it can lathi-charge and shell tear gas against protesters with minimal use of force.

It is important here that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is going to protest in Lahore today, the Punjab Government has sealed Minar Pakistan.

According to details, containers have been placed on all roads leading to the venue and police have arrested more than 600 PTI workers to stop the protest.

More than 10,000 security personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order in Lahore while metro bus service has been partially suspended in Lahore.