Print Print edition: 2017-11-26

Army called out to restore security in Islamabad

Published November 26, 2017 Updated November 26, 2017 12:00am

The federal government on Saturday called in Pakistan Army in aid of civil power to maintain law and order in the Islamabad Capital Territory.
"In pursuant of the request made by ICT administration on November 25, the federal government in exercise of powers conferred under Article 245 of the Constitution read with sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 [XXVII of 1997] and section 131-A of CrPC is pleased to authorize deployment of sufficient number of troops of Pakistan Army to be determined by the commander of 111 Brigade in aid of civil power to control law and order situation in Islamabad Capital Territory with effect from November 25, 2017 till further orders," read a notification issued by Ministry of Interior, which was also aired by the state-run PTV.
But the notification has some glaring mistakes such as the file number which is mentioned as "F.No3/46/2013 (Ops)-CAF (C)." Another major mistake in the notification was the direction to "Director General Pakistan Rangers, Punjab, with a request that sector commander Punjab Rangers, Islamabad, be directed to play proactive role to ensure foolproof security of the participants during the ECO Summit."
A senior official of the Foreign Office told Business Recorder there was no upcoming ECO summit in Islamabad, declining to make further comments on the notification. Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry could not be reached for their comments.