Sensitive installations: Ministry seeks ex post facto approval for deployment of GB Scouts

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior has sought ex post facto approval of Cabinet for deployment of 17x Platoons of GB Scouts from June 17, 2020 to June 30, 2021 on sensitive installations and buildings.

Official sources told Business Recorder that Home & Prisons Department, Government of Gilgit Baltistan requested Ministry of Interior on August 12, 2020 for extension in deployment of 17 x Platoons of GB Scouts deployed on Internal Security (IS) duties for a period of three months with effect from June 17, 2020 to September 16, 2020 unconditionally in aid of civil administration to effectively handle the impending law and order situation and to avert the possibility of any untoward incident at Diamer.

Subsequently, Interior Ministry asked Home Department GB for necessary justification for the deployment so that a complete case may be forwarded by the Ministry for consideration and approval of the Cabinet.

In response, on March 2, 2021, Home Department GB submitted that the GB Cabinet in its 3rd meeting held on February 18, 2021 has approved the deployment.

with effect from June 17, 2020 to June 30, 2021 instead of the earlier request of 3 months with effect from June 17, 2020 to June 16, 2020. Therefore, it appears that the case was delayed in Gilgit Baltistan due to the elections and process of formulation of the new Government.

The deployment is carried out on important Government offices, sensitive installations and security of places of national and regional importance in Gilgit and Diamer districts in view of the law & order situation.

Civil Armed Forces can be deployed by the Federal Government, on the request of the Provincial Government, under Section 131-A of CrPC 1898 and under Sections 4 and 5 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 for public security and maintenance of law and order.

Ministry of Interior has sought ex-post facto approval of the Cabinet for deployment of 17 x platoons of GB Scouts in Gilgit and Diamer districts oh Internal Security (IS) duties with effect from June 17, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021