Pakistan: Semi Martial Law In Punjab: Punjab government decides to call in army

The Punjab government today decided to impose Article 245 of the Constitution in the province in the backdrop of ongoing clashes between police and workers of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT). Punjab Law Minister Rana Mashhood has confirmed that his government would make a formal request to the federal government to invoke Article 245, under which army could be deployed in aide of civil administration. The Article 245 was already in place in the federal capital despite strong criticism from opposition parties. According to a spokesman of Punjab police, more than 100 security personnel have been wounded across the province in clashes with PAT’s workers. On the other hand, PAT says that their peaceful workers are not being allowed to come to Lahore to observe Day of Martyrs.