Article 245 is the article the government invokes whenever soldiers appear on the streets in peacetime — for floods, censuses, or elections. Here is what it actually says.
Quick answer: Article 245 requires the Armed Forces to defend Pakistan against external aggression and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so.
The constitutional text (summary)
Article 245 provides that the Armed Forces shall, under the directions of the Federal Government, defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war — and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so. The “subject to law” qualifier matters: Parliament sets the terms on which the military assists civilian authorities.
What “aid of civil power” means
It is the constitutional basis for the military doing civilian jobs at the civilian government’s request: disaster relief, census enumeration, election security, anti-smuggling operations, and policing support in disturbed areas. The key constitutional point: the forces act in aid of — subordinate to, not replacing — the civil power that called them.
When Article 245 has been invoked
- Disaster relief: floods (notably 2010, 2022) and earthquakes — the Army’s engineering and aviation assets under civilian disaster authorities
- Census: the 2017 and 2023 (digital) censuses used military personnel for enumeration security
- Elections: troops deployed for polling-day security in general elections
- Counter-terrorism: operations in aid of civil power in former FATA and Swat under this article’s umbrella
Frequently asked questions
What is Article 245 of Pakistan’s constitution?
The article directing the Armed Forces to defend against external aggression and act in aid of civil power when called upon.
Can the army be called for civilian duties?
Yes — Article 245 expressly provides for the forces to act in aid of civil power, subject to law.
