Amid growing violence during protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the federal government has called in the army to assist with maintaining order in the capital.
The Interior Ministry issued a notification under Article 245, which allows the military to help the civilian law enforcement apparatus control the situation and take strong action against those causing trouble. The notification also gives the army the authority to impose a curfew, if necessary, to stop lawlessness.
As per media reports, security forces have been given the power to shoot troublemakers on sight. Authorities are also working to identify and arrest those responsible for violence and disruptions, including extremist elements.
The decision follows a tragic incident on the Srinagar Highway, where PTI protesters reportedly drove a vehicle into paramilitary Rangers personnel, killing four Rangers and injuring five others. Two police officers were also injured in the attack. So far, the violence has led to the deaths of four Rangers and two police officers. More than 100 police officers have been injured, some critically, highlighting the severity of the ongoing violence.
PTI supporters have gathered in force in the federal capital on the call of their jailed party leader. The protesters are demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and other party leaders and have vowed to spring him from jail. They have gathered at D-Chowk and plan to stay there until their demands are addressed.
For the past two days, a security lockdown has been in place in Islamabad to block convoys of PTI protesters, led by PTI founder Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi (whom the PTI had for long painted as a non-political entity) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
Highways leading to the federal capital had been blocked with shipping containers, and large contingents of police and paramilitary forces in riot gear were patrolling the streets. However, the blockages all seemed to melt away under the weight of the protesters.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a sharp decline in the KSE-100 Index on Tuesday, with political unrest in the federal capital impacting market sentiment.
During intraday trading, the benchmark index dropped by more than 2,400 points.
According to the PSX website, the market started on a negative note, with the KSE-100 losing over 600 points early in the session. However, by 11:00 am, the index saw a brief recovery due to strong buying activity in the banking sector, reaching its highest point of 99,819.59.
Despite this rebound, the market soon reversed its gains. By 12:36 pm, the KSE-100 had fallen to 95,743.68, marking a loss of 2,472.04 points. By 1:26 pm, the index stood at 97,100.33, down 979.59 points, or 1.00%, compared to the previous session's close.