Islamabad (Web Desk): The military has been called in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, and Islamabad to maintain the law and order situation as violent protests by Pakistan Tehree-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters continued for the second consecutive day after former premier Imran Khan's arrest in Al-Qadir trust case.
As per the reports, the violence triggered by Khan's arrest has claimed at least 10 lives in different cities of the country.
The officials sources at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar stated that four bullet-riddled bodies were received by the emergency of the health facility.
Officials at Edhi Foundation reported two deaths in Lahore while another one was reported in Multan.
Police officials stated that the violent protests in Kohat claimed two lives.
The Ministry of Interior has authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army troops in Punjab Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Islamabad to maintain the law and order situation in the two provinces and the federal capital.
As per a notification by the ministry regarding deployment of military troops in Punjab, "Pursuant to the request made by the Home Department Government of Punjab, vide their letter No.SO(IS-II)3-15/2023 (Security) (1) Dated 9 May 2023, the federal government in excise of powers conferred under article 245 of the constitution and Section 4 (3) (ii) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, (to discharge such functions as specified in the said act), is pleased to authorise the deployment of Pakistan Army troops/assets for maintaining law and order situations across the Punjab province in aid of civil power."
It added that the exact numbers of troops/assets, date and area of deployment will be worked out by the provincial government in consultation with the MO Dte, GHQ,” it said.
The notification added that the date of de-requisitioning of the said date would be decided subsequently after mutual consultation among both stakeholders.
The Army has been requested to assist the provincial governments and has been called upon to deploy 10 companies across several districts in Punjab.
The army would be stationed in Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Peshawar and other regions to maintain law and order situation.
The development comes a day after violent protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) erupted in several cities on Tuesday after the arrest of party chief and former premier Imran Khan.
Meanwhile, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa (KP) government has also sought the services of the Pakistan Army across the province.
After Punjab, the interior ministry has also authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army troops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the “safety of life and property of citizens as well as security of government installations” in the province.
On the request of the chief commissioner, the Ministry of Interior has requisitioned army troops/assets in Islamabad to “maintain the law and order situation”.
Immediately after the interior ministry authorised the deployment of the army, the capital police said that Pakistan Army troops were reaching several locations in Islamabad.
It tweeted that the Rangers and armed forces were at the scene to maintain public order.
“All those who are spreading incitement are requested to stop,” it said and requested women and children to refrain from traveling.
Meanwhile, mobile data services were shut for a second day while Twitter, YouTube and Facebook were disrupted, as security forces tried to restore order after violent protests and vandalism by PTI supporters.
The government said PTI workers had attacked important state buildings and damaged private and public vehicles.