After the dramatic detention of Imran Khan, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), political instability has escalated. The violence in Peshawar, which has resulted in four deaths and damage to hospitals, prompted the deployment of the army in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Several individuals have been apprehended in connection with the riots.
The government alleges that PTI supporters attacked important government structures and caused damage to personal and official vehicles. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal condemned these actions and stated that the law will take its course. “The PTI rank and file planned these violent attacks; they were not the result of any popular movement.”
According to the order issued by the Federal Ministry of Interior: “In accordance with 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 exercise 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 authorize the deployment of Pakistan Army troops/assets to maintain law and order situations across the Punjab province in aid of civil power.”