Islamabad: Pakistan’s interior minister on Sunday rejected a claim by Imran Khan’s political party that the government’s move to deploy soldiers in Islamabad was politically motivated and meant to thwart its planned march to the capital.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stressed at a news conference that the sole aim behind the “pre-emptive step” was to strengthen security to deal with possible terror attacks in the current “warlike situation” amid the ongoing military operations in North Waziristan tribal region.

“It has no link whatsoever with any political activities,” he said. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plans a massive march to Islamabad on August 14, the country’s Independence Day, in a climax to its nearly three-month protest campaign over alleged fraud in 2013 general election.

The PTI core committee, after a meeting here on Saturday, denounced what it termed “use of army for political purposes” and declared the party would go ahead in full force with its plans.

The party has demanded an audit of last year’s whole election as well as electoral reforms. Its core committee however made it clear that time for talks with the government on the demands was now over.

The interior minister, in reply to a question about possibility of talks with the PTI to sort out the dispute, said the matter would be discussed after return of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from his current visit to Saudi Arabia.

Nissar Khan said the use of army for internal security was done from time to time in all civilised and democratic countries.

In Pakistan itself Article 245 of the country’s constitution, which allows deployment of the army to assist the civil armed forces and administration in maintenance of law and order, had been invoked 11 times since 2007, the minister noted.

He said under the government requisition around 350 troops would be deployed in Islamabad around sensitive and strategic buildings including airports and installations for a period of 90 days, starting from 1st August.

The minister dismissed speculation that the control of the capital was being handed over to the army.

He said the decision for the army to act in aid of civil power in Islamabad or any other area in the country in accordance with the constitution was taken ahead of the June 15 launch of the military operation.

However, the interior ministry examined legal and other aspects before issuing necessary notification, he said.

“The move has nothing to do with any political rally or activity.”

He said the notification provides legal cover for troops acting in aid of civil power. Already troops had been on duty at some airbases and other sensitive places but without the required legal cover, he pointed out.

Nissar Khan lashed out at political opponents and others raising a “hue and cry” over troops deployment and trying to make it “controversial.”

In reply to a question, he emphasised that the civil-military relations “are very positive.”