ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday approved the deployment of armed forces across the country to ensure security during the month of Muharram.

The governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, along with the administrations of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad, had all requested the deployment of army troops to maintain law and order during the significant religious period.

A notification issued by the Interior Ministry confirmed the army’s deployment across the country. The decision underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of citizens during Muharram, a time marked by processions and religious gatherings.

The government in order to ensure foolproof security in Muharram has invoked Article 245 of the Constitution for deployment of Army soldiers in all the provinces.

The decision was taken on the requests of all provinces seeking Army deployment to assist the civil armed forces and police.

Army soldiers will also be on Muharram guard in Islamabad, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

Earlier, the Sindh government had contacted the military authorities for the army’s deployment in the province for the holy month. According to an Interior Ministry notification, army, Rangers, and FC troops will be deployed keeping in view the ground conditions.

The Sindh Home Department has prepared a road map for army deployment in Muharram. Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the army will be deployed in Sindh like the rest of the country.

The army is being deployed to help the civil administration, the order of the Interior Ministry says, The army will be deployed as per requirement in mutual consultation of the parties concerned and the home departments.

Later on, the Punjab government had requested the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Rangers to ensure peace and order during Muharram throughout the province.