Punjab govt seeks Rangers deployment in Rawalpindi, three other districts until Oct 5

The Punjab government has asked the federal government to send Rangers to Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Mianwali districts from September 22 to October 5. This deployment is aimed at helping provincial police keep order as protests are planned. The request follows announcements by the Kissan Ittehad and PTI that they will hold long marches and sit-ins in Islamabad.

PTI, in particular, plans a long march on September 27 to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan. The Punjab Home Department wrote to the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, requesting three companies of Rangers for Rawalpindi, including one in the city and two in Taxila. Five Ranger wings were requested for Attock, while Jhelum and Mianwali each got one company.

This deployment follows discussions at a meeting of the Punjab government's Standing Committee on Law and Order and is based on situations reviewed by police, court orders, and government instructions. The Punjab government has asked the ministry to take action and inform them about it. Security preparations are underway in Rawalpindi Division and Islamabad to handle any emergencies.

Over 22,000 security personnel will be in Islamabad and more than 30,000 in Attock. Earlier, the federal government authorized Army deployment in Rawalpindi for six months to handle security and unforeseen situations. This initial six-month deployment is now in effect, and the Army units will follow the orders of local authorities.