Army Deployed In Punjab Province Of Pakistan To Maintain Law And Order, After Imran Khan's Arrest Triggers Protests

The Pakistani Army has been deployed in Punjab to maintain law and order following protests sparked by the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday (9 May), according to a report by the newspaper Dawn.

In an official order, the Ministry of Interior of Pakistan said that the Federal Government had authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army troops and assets for maintaining the law and order situation across the Punjab province in aid of civil power, in the exercise of the powers conferred under Article 245 of the Constitution and Section 4 (3) (ii) of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

The notification stated that "the exact numbers of troops/assets, date and area of deployment will be worked out by the provincial government in consultation with MO Dte, GHQ."

On Tuesday, Punjab and Balochistan governments imposed Section 144 in their respective provinces in response to protests staged across the region following Imran Khan's arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

Angry protestors have stormed government buildings and blocked roads in response to Imran Khan's detention, prompting authorities to enact Section 144.

The interim government of Punjab has brought in Pakistan Rangers, and the province's mobile and internet services have been suspended, according to Samaa TV.

In the wake of the ongoing unrest, the Islamabad administration also implemented Section 144 in the capital territory.