Islamabad: The federal government’s authorisation of army deployment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has brought Article 245 into focus, a constitutional provision governing the armed forces’ responsibilities and their role in assisting civilian authorities.
Article 245 allows the armed forces, under federal government directions and subject to law, to act “in aid of civil power”. It also assigns them responsibility for defending Pakistan against external aggression or a threat of war.
In KP, the October 11 Interior Ministry order authorises troops and resources to help protect citizens, property and government installations. The governor will determine the required numbers in consultation with GHQ’s Military Operations Directorate.
What happens to access to courts?
Clause two bars courts from questioning the validity of federal directions issued under clause one. Clauses three and four restrict High Courts’ Article 199 jurisdiction in affected areas and suspend proceedings instituted after military assistance begins. Proceedings already pending before deployment are expressly protected.
Does it impose governor’s rule?
Article 245 itself does not remove a provincial government or impose governor’s rule. The KP deployment order separately refers to the proclamation under Articles 232 and 234 and ties its duration to that proclamation.
The distinction matters: the proclamation concerns emergency powers and provincial administration, while the Article 245 order authorises military assistance.
