Army, FC deployed in Balochistan under Article 245

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has deployed 31 units of Pak Army and 107 wings of the Frontier Corps (FC) in Balochistan for maintaining law and order in the province. The action has been taken on the request of Balochistan government. The troops have been dispatched to the province as some of the troops have assumed their assignment.

Highly placed sources in the government told The News here Sunday that the deployment has produced encouraging results since number of the Khwarji terrorist groups have been busted as the result of the operations. It has greatly helped in improvement of law and order situation in the province. The troops’ deployment notification was issued on 15th of the last month and it would be valid for the period of one year.

The sources reminded that that the provincial government asked for the deployment under Article 245 of the Constitution, Section 131-A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) 1898, and Sections 4 & 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. The notification has been issued by Shoukat Ali Khan, Section Officer (CAF).

The sources said that the troops will not receive any internal security allowance to avoid burdening the national and provincial exchequers. The action has been taken in view of ongoing security challenges of different kind, in the province. The troops will assist civilian law enforcement authorities. The sources reminded that the troops could be withdrawn before the stipulated time in case the security situation is improved.

The action has been widely hailed by the peace-loving and law-abiding citizens of Balochistan and expressed hope that it would bring the situation fairly under control and pave the way for the development and progress of the province and its people.