Wednesday May 10, 2023
As violent protests sparked by the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan continued for a second straight day on Wednesday, the army was called in to maintain law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan and Islamabad. situation.
The violence also claimed at least four lives in Peshawar, with Sindh imposing Section 144 to curb violent protests organized by former workers and supporters of the ruling party.
Doctors at the emergency room received four bullet-riddled bodies, a Lady Reading Hospital (LHR) spokesperson told Geo News, while another 27 were being treated for restlessness-related traumatic injuries.
Mobile data services were shut down the next day, while Twitter, YouTube and Facebook were disrupted as security forces tried to restore order after violence late on Tuesday left one person dead.
The government said PTI workers attacked important government buildings and damaged private and public vehicles.
"This cannot be tolerated, the law will evolve," Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal told a press conference. “These violent attacks were not the result of any public outpouring, they were planned by PTI rank and file.
The Ministry of the Interior approved military aid
The Home Ministry approved the Punjab government's request for assistance by sanctioning ten companies of soldiers, saying, "The Army would cooperate with the district administration to restore law, order and peace".
An order issued by the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs stated, “On the request of the Punjab Home Ministry vide their letter No. SO(IS-II) 3-15/2023 (Security) (1) dated 9/2023, the Federal Government in the area of consumption powers granted under Article 245 of the Constitution and Section 4 (3) (ii) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (for the performance of the functions specified in the said Act), is pleased to authorize the deployment of troops/assets of the Pakistan Army for the maintenance of law and order situation in the province of Punjab on aid of the civil power."
The exact number of troops/assets, date and area of deployment will be worked out by the provincial government in consultation with MoD Dte, GHQ, she added.
"The date of decommissioning of the said deployment will be decided after mutual consultation between the two parties involved," the announcement said.
945 arrested for hooliganism in Punjab
In a separate statement, the Punjab Police said action has been taken against those who attack government property, police forces and law enforcement agencies in the province.
"I don't want those involved in acts of violence, vandalism, damage to public and private property across the province have been arrested," the announcement said, adding that more than 130 police and law enforcement personnel were "seriously injured" during the violent operations.
The spokesman then said: “Police teams arrested 945 law breakers and miscreants from across the province.
A Punjab Police spokesman said: "More than 25 vehicles of police and government agencies were destroyed and burnt."
Protesters attacked more than 14 government buildings, looted and caused serious damage to government property, he said.
Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr. Usman Anwar further shared that strict legal action is being taken against those who challenge the state and statutory orders.
He reaffirmed that those who injure citizens, police officers and personnel and damage property "will be brought to justice."
Violence turns deadly in Peshawar
At least 30 people have been arrested in Peshawar following violent protests, police confirmed, adding that cases have been registered against alleged miscreants.
According to the police, cases are being registered for allegations of damage to public and private property, vehicles, metro buses and government ambulances.
Arson, stone throwing, vandalism and attacks on the police were also reported.
Identification of the rioters and arsonists from CCTV footage and other sources is underway, police said.
PTI criticizes Punjab for calling in army
Reacting to the reports, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi attacked the federal government and asked: How did the army become available for deployment in Punjab when earlier it was said to be "too busy" [to carry out election duties]?
“We are seriously concerned about the threat to Chairman Imran Khan's life. Our leader is in the custody of those who threatened him. Secondly, till yesterday the army was very busy and not available for elections but what happened that today the army was deployed in Punjab and KP? The nation is not stupid,” Qureshi tweeted.
