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ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday announced the government's decision to call in the military to take control of Islamabad from August 1 for a period of three months.
Speaking to media representatives, Nisar said that the Interior Ministry under Article 245 of the Constitution has sought the army's services for maintaining law and order in the federal capital for a period of three months.
Responding to a question, he said the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had not given a formal application to the capital administration for holding any rallies in Islamabad.
Nisar said the decision to allow the rally would be taken only after the PTI leadership requests the government in this regard.
The federal interior minister added that the decision would be taken by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif upon his return from Saudi Arabia.
Parliament Watch: As threats loom, Sharif charms his way back into GHQ
Earlier, sources had said that the government was mulling over invoking Article 245 of the Constitution to summon the army in all major cities of the country.
Sources had added that the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan was also being carried out under Article 245 of the Constitution.
Given below are details of Article 245 of the Constitution which pertains to the functions Pakistan's Armed forces, taken from the National Assembly website:
(1) The Armed Forces shall, under the directions of the Federal Government, defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so.
(2) The validity of any direction issued by the Federal Government under clause (1) shall not be called in question in any court.
(3) A High Court shall not exercise any jurisdiction under Article 199 in relation to any area in which the Armed Forces of Pakistan are, for the time being, acting in aid of civil power in pursuance of Article 245: Provided that this clause shall not be deemed to affect the jurisdiction of the High Court in respect of any proceeding pending immediately before the day on which the Armed Forces start acting in aid of civil power.
(4) Any proceeding in relation to an area referred to in clause (3) instituted on or after the day the Armed Forces start acting in aid of civil power and pending in any High Court shall remain suspended for the period during which the Armed Forces are so acting.
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Comments (60) Closed
Jul 25, 2014 03:48pm
It feels like it'll be for rest of your life, don't count on time limits. You started it.
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Jul 25, 2014 03:50pm
The interior Minister confirms through his statement that Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a failed state.
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Jul 25, 2014 03:51pm
Pulling Army into politics and then they say Army breaches its remit.
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Jul 25, 2014 03:55pm
Not to worry Nisar. The Cricketer will have his march. Qadri will
have his march. The Chaudhry Brothers are there too. Ask Nawaz
to come back. Hiding in Sauia will not help.
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Jul 25, 2014 03:58pm
A good move by govt. for restricting the people who want to create disturbances in war like situation on western border of country . Peaceful agitation can be carried at any other time after
Zarb-e- hazb operation is over.
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Jul 25, 2014 04:06pm
What is this? How much more Army will do. They are already fighting a war.
If you cannot run the country then let the Army take over. They have done and will do a great job in running this country.
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Jul 25, 2014 04:06pm
Depoliticize police and other institutions so that they may stand on their feet. Strengthen the other institutions also and make them autonomous. NEPRA, PEMRA, WAPDA, NADRA, ECP, PIA, etc., all are looking for help. Please depoliticize them. Politician should be restricted to legislation only.
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Jul 25, 2014 04:08pm
@Pervez Yes, PTI is looking for your advice as to when and how to proceed with its protests.
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Jul 25, 2014 04:10pm
And then you complain about the Army interference. This is ill timed especially when the Army is engaged in active war on one front. Better make up your mind if you can handle the affairs of the state or you need the Army for that as well.
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Jul 25, 2014 04:13pm
Nawaz knows he cannot survive without Army's support.
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Jul 25, 2014 04:24pm
So this is how PMLN want to "strengthen democracy"... but calling in the army to suppress dissent!
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Jul 25, 2014 04:40pm
Repeating mistake of ZAB when he invoked 245 for Karachi and Lahore. Engineered democracy has shattered the confidence of voters. It's time to verify thumb impressions, complete audit of all votes.
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Jul 25, 2014 04:42pm
Dear Ch.Nisar Sb, don't forget that the Army belongs to Pakistan and it will protect Pakistan's interest not the Nawaz League's interest. Asking for permission by PTI from the present Rigged Govt is out of question,we all know it won't be awarded by the scared PM, and by any means the Army will not stop peaceful protesters who will be coming to Islamabad for New Pakistan.Peaceful change is always created by "defiance" not "obedience" to those who have corrupted the system.Now that you are calling in the Army you are to be blamed if they take over the whole Country for the benefit of our beloved Pakistan they will be justified,you have miserably failed to govern the Country and have rather put it into further problems & burdening our economy by taking massive loans,just wait & see what happens on the 14th August,PANAFORCE Zindabad,Pakistan Paindabad.The Nation will see a new Dawn soon by the grace of ALLAH the Almighty.
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Jul 25, 2014 05:11pm
Miscreants from PTI and PAT who resort to mischief and violence on that day should be dealt with accordingly. If they remain sane then they should be allowed to protest. It's a democratic right. Tsunami will fizzle out as usual.
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Jul 25, 2014 05:26pm
Acknowledging his own failure. Federal Interior Minister is unable to manage law and order of a tiny city like Islamabad.
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Jul 25, 2014 05:27pm
The civilian government can not even protect it self how will it protect the people. Then these NRO politicians complain that army is involved in domestic issues. Let the army do their job fighting on the borders and let the police or special units take care of the internal security.
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Jul 25, 2014 05:27pm
why only Islamabad, there is more chaos in Karachi, Quetta, and other parts of the country?
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Jul 25, 2014 05:32pm
3 months will turn into 3 years. 3 years will turn into 30 years.
Just look at Karachi.
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Jul 25, 2014 05:33pm
Democracy is the best revenge and actions of PML-N government is proof that 'bad democracy is similar to dictatorship'! I so wish this lot is removed before the rot of senseless governance plunges the country into a civil war.
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Jul 25, 2014 06:08pm
Govt have to do it because of bad tactics of PTI which threatening like a spoiled boy.
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Jul 25, 2014 06:15pm
PTI VS ARMY
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Jul 25, 2014 06:25pm
LOL!!
Law and order situation in Karachi demands army action. They took months to seek Army services for Waziristan operation. They think alot before seeking army action, as they have been biten twice by army. They are trying an ex-general for interfering in politics.
Salute to Zardari.. he know how to do things!!!
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Jul 25, 2014 06:37pm
When you let the fox into the henhouse, don't cry later when hens are slaughtered.
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Jul 25, 2014 07:32pm
@fida sayani
Pakistan is not a failed state but IK is definitely a failed poitician.
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Jul 25, 2014 07:54pm
Now PML N hiding behind army. Then you blame army for take over. Army was most required in Karachi where it was not called.
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Jul 25, 2014 07:56pm
On this basis lets call the army out in Khi. We need it more.
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Jul 25, 2014 08:04pm
hmmm....democratically elected gov calling on army because gov is too incompetent...and when army takes over these politicians start shouting DEMOCRACY...DEMOCRACY.....
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Jul 25, 2014 08:24pm
Enters "THE ARMY"
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Jul 25, 2014 08:24pm
If interior ministry cannot defend the capital on their own, they have right to govern. You handed over Islamabad to Army for three months. Why don't you also vacate the PM house and let Army either occupy it or sub-let to some else capable.Shame on you.
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Jul 25, 2014 08:26pm
Why Army is getting into messy political fight between several party's?
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Jul 25, 2014 08:27pm
When was the last time the army took orders from the government? This minister's blunder brought in Musharraf and this time the Sharif in uniform.
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Jul 25, 2014 08:32pm
Not a bad idea -- mercurial Imran is very unpredictable -- just a precautionary measure to avoid what happened with TUQ's horde. Imran is no better.
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Jul 25, 2014 08:36pm
Losers!
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Jul 25, 2014 09:13pm
This is it. Those that believe that the Army will now ever go back to barracks are being too naive.
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Jul 25, 2014 09:28pm
It should have been invoked across all major cities. The radicals need to be crushed if by any means protests turns to violence and rioters start damaging state and public property.
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Jul 25, 2014 10:01pm
seems PMLN is scared of PTI and its struggle for a just legal system!!!
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Jul 25, 2014 10:21pm
Ch Nisar is 100% right, this government is not capable of doing any thing invite ARMY again is the right thing to do
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Jul 25, 2014 10:37pm
Afraid from Long March!!!
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Jul 25, 2014 10:46pm
@Pervez An undemocratic move in the guise of security concern, to avert the protest rallies which wont work as they would protest peacefully unless suppressed violently in the Model Town style.
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Jul 25, 2014 11:17pm
the history will repeat itself again?. peaceful anti government protests are into democratic norms and folds. like wise in all take overs the army was invited to control the situation first and when army used his method of controlling the situations it led to the birth of more riots and upheavals. the army itself refuse this undertaking since the capital has not been overpowered or have threat to be over powered by PTI. nawaz sharief must learn from the past now.......................
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Jul 25, 2014 11:20pm
army should itself refuse. the capital is not under threat to be over powered by PTI. PM should learn from history
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Jul 25, 2014 11:29pm
Government has buckled and now its commiting harakiri by calling the army. At this rate a martial law is imminent
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Jul 25, 2014 11:53pm
@Lucky Star if IK is failed so how come he got KPK and for the first time he has created a big movement in PAK.
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Jul 26, 2014 12:13am
@fida sayani Not Pakistan but the PML-N government. Get it right genius!
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Jul 26, 2014 12:24am
Bring President Musharaf back to lead us again.
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Jul 26, 2014 12:43am
Obviously Pakistan Police is to only serve the master but the masses, I wonder what training curriculum they follow? Why is army rule bad for Pakistan??
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Jul 26, 2014 01:03am
Nisar, if the situation is so bad there in ISB that Army had to be brought in, then, for Karachi, this should have been a NO BRAINNER! But, we all know that the govt is not about providing and ensuring security and peace in Karachi. Else, things would have been so different in khi.
I wonder, WHAT will you guys say on the day of judgment about what you did for your people whom you were leaders of.
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Jul 26, 2014 01:21am
Someone rightly said about PML(N) government, that they don't need an enemy....as they are going to pack up by themselves....
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Jul 26, 2014 02:26am
@Sid For Karachi PML-N will get the international forces, perhaps, Saudi forces that is why NS went there!
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Jul 26, 2014 02:38am
Why don't hand over law and order of entire country to the Armed gforces?
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Jul 26, 2014 02:49am
@Pervez ... true ... i dont know what the fuss is about ... anyways when last time the government tried to keep up the peaceful rallies there were mishaps that turned into political war tool by TuQ and PTI! ... i guess this plan isolates such move by opposition and keeps security in the state !
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Jul 26, 2014 02:52am
@Lucky Star ,, lol true !!!
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Jul 26, 2014 03:46am
A Senior minister of the ruling party has admitted the government's failure to control the small city of Islamabad. How can anyone expect that they control complex places like Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar? PML N has itself admitted it's inability to govern due to a Web, of incompetence, corruption, tax evasion and playing favorites. Now Nawaz Sharif is playing his flute, while the brave soldiers sacrifice their live and the IDP's brave it out in the open. Nawaz is also unnerved by the attack near his Royal Palace.
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Jul 26, 2014 04:39am
People of Troy rejoice for the gods have sent you a gift.
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Jul 26, 2014 05:03am
I will request the Pak Army if the civil government does not allow opposition to hold rallies against the corrupt policies of the current government then do not let these corrupt officials to hold office position, otherwise any action of the army will be considered biased. Army got it respect back in the public eyes after bold steps taken by the army leadership not by the civilian dictatorship. Please stand neutral or take the complete power in your hand. I love to see Army only with full powers no civil intervention at all.
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Jul 26, 2014 08:13am
We wholeheartedly well come Khakies to Islamabad and expect them to. Maintain smoothly to win the ongoing battle against Outlaws.
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Jul 26, 2014 09:17am
Chaudhry Nisar and the Govt. of Pakistan had no choice, but to call-in the Army to maintain law and order for three months, in Islamabad, as from 1 August to dispel any non-peaceful sit-ins and demonstrations planned by PTI and PAT supporters from 14th August (Independence Day of Pakistan); and this is, also, now a conclusive proof that the Army does not support Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri's prospective 'street revolution' to derail democracy whilst, at least, the Operation against the Taliban is in progress (which may take a few years to eradicate the sleeper-cells across the country)!
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Jul 26, 2014 09:43am
@Xain
Big deal!
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Jul 27, 2014 09:43am
Coup by nisar?
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Jul 27, 2014 09:47am
@Arif Aslam Khan please spare us new dawns shown by the army...their track record speaks volumes.
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