Following Islamabad’s lead, the Punjab government has also summoned the Pakistan Army to help maintain peace and order throughout the province, particularly during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference.
A formal notification outlining the terms of the army’s deployment has been issued. This decision was reached during a meeting of the Special Committee for Law and Order in Punjab, which approved the move to bolster security for the conference and manage law enforcement across key cities.
Copies of the notification have been dispatched to the General Headquarters (GHQ) and all Corps Headquarters in Punjab, confirming the army’s support for civil armed forces and police.
The Pakistan Army will secure foreign delegations attending the SCO Conference and assist civil authorities.
Troops will be strategically positioned at airports, along routes used by delegations, and at their residences.
Local army commanders, in collaboration with police authorities, will determine the specific locations for deployment. The army personnel will also be authorized to use lethal force in emergencies, as specified in the notification.
In addition to their role in the SCO conference, army units will be stationed in Lahore, Attock, and Rawalpindi to uphold law and order. The Punjab Home Department has stated that the army may be deployed in these areas to ensure security during and after the conference.
The deployment will commence immediately, with army personnel taking up positions across the province, ready to respond to any security challenges that may arise.
