The interim government of Punjab and the administration of Islamabad have formally requested the Ministry of Interior to recall the army from both administrative units.
It was deployed around one month ago to address deteriorating law and order situations that arose following the arrest of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief.
Protests erupted nationwide on May 9 following the arrest of the former prime minister, leading to demonstrators gathering outside military cantonments, the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, and offices of the Frontier Corps.
During the protests, social media platforms were overflowing with videos showing mobs vandalizing both public and private properties, including military installations.
In response to the escalating unrest, the Ministry of Interior approved the deployment of the army in Islamabad, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on May 10.
A letter issued by the Islamabad commissioner’s office referred to the ministry’s notification and highlighted that the army was deployed in the federal capital under Article 245 of the Constitution, specifically to maintain law and order. However, the current situation in Islamabad was deemed satisfactory, prompting the request to de-notify the army’s presence “in the best interest of the public”.
Similarly, the Punjab Home Department sent a separate letter to the ministry, recalling that the interior ministry had approved army deployment in the province under Article 245 and Section 4(3)(ii) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The deployment was initially authorized to maintain the law and order situation across Punjab, assisting civil power in its efforts.
