In response to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announcing a protest rally at Minar-e-Pakistan today, Saturday, the Punjab government has called in army troops under Article 245 of the Constitution to maintain law and order in the province. A notification has been issued confirming that security measures will be enforced around airports, roads, and other critical areas.
The PTI’s demonstration aims to highlight rising inflation, demand judicial independence, and advocate for the release of their party founder, Imran Khan. Labeling the event a “do or die” situation, PTI emphasized its determination to proceed despite warnings from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
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To maintain order, provincial authorities have imposed Section 144 across Lahore, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Attock, effectively banning political gatherings until October 8 in Lahore and October 7 in Mianwali. The government has also deployed nine companies of paramilitary Rangers to enforce compliance, resulting in the arrest of approximately 600 PTI supporters during recent police operations.
With police in Lahore on high alert, strict directives have been issued to patrol the city and detain anyone violating Section 144. The army’s deployment in Punjab came shortly after military forces assumed security responsibilities in the federal capital, Islamabad.
Orders for the deployment of the Pakistan Army under Article 245 of the Constitution were issued by the Ministry of Interior, and the army’s presence in Islamabad and surrounding areas has been successfully established. Troops have begun patrolling the area to ensure citizen safety and maintain law and order.
