Situation serious in Islamabad, army called after death of six security personnel in violent clashes, PTI protest continues
Islamabad, November 26 (IANS). The security situation in and around Pakistan’s capital Islamabad is becoming critical. Following the death of at least six security personnel in violent clashes with thousands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party workers, the country’s Interior Ministry on Tuesday announced that the army has been deployed under Article 245 of the Constitution.
The move came amid rising tensions and failure of the second round of talks between the government and PTI leaders. Meanwhile, supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan continued to march towards D-Chowk of the capital.
So far, two police officers and four Pakistani Rangers personnel have been killed in violent clashes between PTI protesters and security forces. The security situation worsened when a vehicle of PTI protesters collided with Rangers on the Islamabad-Srinagar Highway.
A ranger was injured in violent clashes at Islamabad’s Customs No. 26 following protesters pelting stones and firing.
According to the latest instructions, officials have asked security personnel to take decisive action against miscreants and use extreme measures like shooting at any rioter if needed.
In the notification issued by the Home Ministry of Pakistan, the army has also been given the right to impose curfew whenever it deems appropriate to maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi refused to change the protest venue.
A PTI delegation met its founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan at least twice in Adiala jail. He sought his advice about backdoor negotiations with the government.
According to sources, Khan was told that the government has suggested Sanjani Interchange instead of the highly sensitive D-Chowk for PTI’s protest and asked PTI to submit a request for permission to hold the protest.
Sources said Khan accepted the proposal and informed it to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, but Bushra Bibi refused to agree to it. He said that as per the earlier announcement, the venue of PTI’s protest demonstration will remain D-Chowk.
Many experts believe that Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi is taking all the important decisions of PTI.
Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned PTI protesters not to cross the red line. He said that doing so would force the government to take ‘extreme’ steps.
Mohsin Naqvi said, “I am saying again that the President of Belarus is in Pakistan, so do not cross the red line. Otherwise, we will have to impose Article 245, impose curfew and take extreme measures… They (PTI “Protesters cannot come to D-Chowk. This cannot happen now.”
The Home Minister also said that it seems that instead of Imran Khan, there is some big official in PTI who is running the show. “As per my knowledge, our proposal to protest in Sangjani was accepted during their (PTI) meeting in Adiala jail. But it seems that now in PTI,” he said, indirectly referring to Bushra Bibi. Some big official is handling this case.”
–IANS
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