ISLAMABAD – The government is weighing the option of calling in armedforces in the federal capital in connection with “Azadi March” of JamiatUlema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as it has starteddevising its strategy to deal with the protest.
Rehman will march on Islamabad on Oct.31 to “topple the PakistanTehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) government,” accusing it of coming into power throughrigged elections.
All major opposition parties including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz(PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP) andPukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party have already announced their support for theprotests.
Police circles said if the talks between a government committee and Rehmanremain unsuccessful the government may call the army under Article 245 ofthe Constitution.
Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman salutes as he watches the preparations of ‘AzadiMarch’ in Peshawar. AFP
They said a meeting held at Prime Minister Imran Khan’s personal residencein Bani Gala on law and order situation discussed different options tocounter the march.
The participants agreed that peaceful protest is everyone’s right but noone can be allowed to besiege Islamabad. The state will perform its duty toprotect the public life and property. The meeting also discussed securityof sensitive government buildings and foreign embassies.
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It decided that the government will hold talks with all opposition partiesincluding Rehman. If the talks fail, army troops will be deployed toprotect the government buildings and important installations.
However, the Ministry of Interior will make the final decision if the armedforces are to be called.
Army troops were also called during the 2014 sit-ins of PTI/Pakistan AwamiTehrik (PAT) and Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP).
According to Article 245, acts of armed forces cannot be challenged incourt when they are called in to support the civil administration.
Special Assistant to PM on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said thegovernment is trying its best to handle the issue through talks. “However,if there is a law and order situation, the government will decide accordingto law to protect the life and property of people,” she said.
