ISLAMABAD-Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif has said that calling in of Army in the federal capital under Article 245 of the Constitution has no link with 'Azadi March' of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) but aimed at protecting lives and properties of citizens from possible terror attacks in response of operation "Zarb-e-Azb" in North Waziristan Agency (NWA).

Talking to media persons outside the Parliament House today, Khawaja Asif said that the government was planning since the initiation of the military operation against terrorists in NWA to deploy troops in the Capital city to secure the lives and property of masses and security of important installations.

However, he admitted that delay in finalizing the suggestion of calling in of the army created ambiguities and rival parties alleged that the government’s move was aimed at stopping PTI's long march.

Khawaja Asif ruled out the allegations of violating the constitution and said that neither his ministry nor anyone else had transgressed constitutional parameters.

He said civil-military tensions were created whenever constitutional parameters were transgressed but since these have not been violated there was no question of any rising tension.

The minister said that the government did not feel threatened by PTI's long march and if the Parliament unanimously opposed the invocation of Article 245 then the government might consider the matter again.

He further said that the military would not be used to quell political protests, adding that political measures would be taken to counter political protests.