Government calls Army to maintain law and order in Punjab. The Ministry of Interior on Wednesday approved the deployment of Pakistan Army troops in Punjab at the request of the caretaker government to address the province’s deteriorating law and order situation, amid ongoing protests by PTI supporters against Imran Khan’s arrest.
Following the arrest of the party chairman in the Al-Qadir Trust case on Tuesday, a larger number of charged PTI supporters staged demonstrations across Pakistan, with the worst situation being observed in Punjab’s capital city of Lahore.
Reports said police have arrested 945 protesters in Punjab over vandalism at public places and violence, adding that 130 police officers were injured and 25 police and government vehicles were burnt while 14 government buildings were stormed by protesters.
PTI protesters had entered cantonment areas in several Punjab cities the day before, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Multan. Social media videos showed the enraged crowd storming the residence of the Lahore Corps Commander and setting it on fire. Protesters can also be seen removing various items from the buildings, claiming that they were purchased with their tax money.
As tensions in Punjab remained high, the caretaker Punjab government requested that the interior ministry send military troops to help control the situation.
Government calls Army to maintain law and order in Punjab. In Lahore, PTI protesters and police clashed outside the Punjab Governor House today (Wednesday), while police contingents arrived at Zaman Park to clear traffic on Canal Road.
In Islamabad, angry protesters are attempting to block the Srinagar Highway, while security officials are on the scene dispersing them.
According to reports, the ministry has approved the deployment of ten companies in the province. The army troops will work alongside Punjab police officers to provide security, with some of them stationed in sensitive areas.
