The Pakistan Army on Friday night assumed the security duties of Islamabad under Article 245 of the Constitution, as the government strives to maintain law and order ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, scheduled from Oct. 15-16.
The deployment went into effect at midnight, with Army troops taking up positions across Islamabad and its surrounding areas. A notification to this effect was issued earlier this week, with security officials stressing the move was aimed at ensuring peace during the upcoming “critical” SCO summit. Army units from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have also been dispatched to support security operations in Islamabad and surrounding areas.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which launched its much-hyped “march on D-Chowk” yesterday (Friday), has claimed the move is an attempt to pit its supporters against the Army. Despite tall claims of a “do or die” situation, the party’s main leadership failed to reach the venue, with Islamabad Police clashing with scattered groups throughout the day. A convoy of thousands led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who had earlier declared he would not stop until he reached D-Chowk or was directed to turn back by PTI founder Imran Khan, has been stuck at the border of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the federal capital since roughly 4 p.m. on Friday.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, speaking to media, warned that no one would be allowed to disrupt the peace or create unrest as the country geared up for the international summit. He alleged the PTI was attempting an “onslaught” of Islamabad and warned this would not be tolerated.
PTI-police clashes
Despite a lack of any central leadership, small groups of 10-20 protesters clashed with police while attempting to gather at D-Chowk throughout Friday evening. However, they were repeatedly turned back and dispersed as police resorted to tear gas shelling and baton charges. Nearly 50 PTI workers were also arrested at various points, including PTI founder Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema and Uzma Khan.
The thousands-strong convoy led by Gandapur, supported by the equipment and resources of the provincial government, failed to make much headway, with clashes between police and PTI supporters restricting it to Burhan Interchange, 65 kilometers away from the capital. Additionally, all routes leading into Islamabad have been sealed off to prevent any incursions into the capital.