PTI’s long march; Govt calls in military to deal with

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has eventually devised a strategy to deal with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) called independence march, the Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said under the Article-245 of the constitution, Islamabad’s security will be vested in the military for a period of three months from August 1 – ARY News reports.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Interior, the federal capital is not being handed over to the military; it is rather called in for coping with a possible terrorist attack, that too for a limited time.

The Interior Ministry stated that Pakistan Army shall assist police and local administration in maintaining law and order and security of the federal capital.

PTI has arranged an independence march on August 14 in Islamabad, against alleged poll-rigging during the General Elections 2013.

The Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the DC Islamabad has not yet received any application regarding PTI’s long march and a decision shall be made on this once a formal application is received.

He further said that the decision of permitting PTI to stage a protest demonstration, shall be made upon the arrival of the Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for performing Umrah.

On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has opposed the decision of handing over the security of Islamabad to the military.