Army deployment in Islamabad extended for further 90 days

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – The federal government has extended Pak Army’s deployment in Islamabad for another three months to aid civilian-law enforcement agencies in securing the capital city.

At least 350 soldiers have been deployed in various parts of Islamabad since August 2014 to secure main offices of the judiciary, Parliament, Presidency, Prime Minister House, foreign office and other sensitive installations.

The troops were deployed under Article 245 of the Constitution keeping in view the expected retaliation to ongoing anti-terrorism operation (Zarb-e-Azb) in the North Waziristan tribal region.

The notification regarding extension in deployment was issued by Chief Commissioner Zulfiqar Haider on a summary forwarded by the Ministry of Interior as the deadline for troops’ stay in Islamabad was about to expire on March 8, 2016.