Govt deploys army ‘for security of lives, properties’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The federal government has authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army troops and assets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to assist civil authorities and protect citizens, property and government installations following the imposition of emergency rule in the province.

In a notification issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Interior said the deployment had been authorised under Article 245 of the Constitution for the duration of the proclamation issued on October 11 under Articles 232 and 234.

The notification supersedes earlier orders and states that the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in consultation with the Military Operations Directorate at General Headquarters (GHQ), will determine the number of troops and assets required.

The development came hours after President Asif Ali Zardari signed the emergency proclamation following recommendations from the federal cabinet concerning the law and order situation and the failure of negotiations with government delegations, according to the president’s office.

The measures followed anti-government demonstrations by supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and militant violence in the country’s northwest. Thousands of Khan’s supporters have been marching in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, demanding his release and criticising the government amid economic hardships.

PTI lawmaker Junaid Akbar said on X that provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the party’s provincial president had been arrested shortly after the measures were announced.

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan criticised the emergency declaration, calling it “an extremely alarming and grave political mistake and an undemocratic measure”.

“The people will never accept such actions against their rights,” he wrote on X.

The proclamation, issued under constitutional provisions dealing with emergency situations and provincial governance, provides the federal government with expanded powers in the province.