Punjab seeks army and Rangers deployment ahead of PTI march

The Punjab government has sought federal assistance to deploy Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Mianwali districts from September 22 to October 5. This request aims to support provincial police in maintaining law and order amid anticipated protests. The Punjab Home Department wrote to the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, proposing the utilization of three companies of Pakistan Rangers in Rawalpindi, including one for the city and two for Taxila.

Five Ranger wings have been requested for Attock, while each of Jhelum and Mianwali has been allocated one company. The deployment falls under Article 245 of Pakistan's Constitution, Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, and Sections 7(b) and 10 of the Pakistan Rangers Ordinance of 1959. The matter was thoroughly discussed at the 59th Standing Committee of the Cabinet on Law & Order meeting held on September 20.

The deployment has been authorized after considering the police authorities' situational review, Islamabad High Court orders in Writ Petition No. 4421/2026, and S&GAD instructions. The Punjab Home Department has requested the ministry to take further necessary action and inform the Punjab Home Department accordingly. In preparation for the potential protests, security personnel in Rawalpindi Division and the federal capital are being deployed.

Over 22,000 security personnel, led by eight DIGs, are stationed in the federal capital, while more than 30,000 are in Attock, which connects Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab. In August, the federal government authorized the deployment of three companies of the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi for six months to handle sensitive security duties and respond to unforeseen situations.

This deployment came more than a month before the planned PTI long march to Islamabad, which the party expects to draw around two million participants. District administrations in Punjab have previously sought army assistance during Muharram, elections, and periods of heightened terror alerts. The approved deployment for an initial period of six months will place army units at the disposal of the Rawalpindi district administration, who will execute duties assigned by civilian authorities.