Punjab seeks Rangers deployment ahead of Sept 27 protest

The Punjab government has asked the federal government to deploy Pakistan Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali to assist police with security and law-and-order duties amid expected protests in Islamabad.

The requested deployment would remain in place from September 22 to October 5, according to a letter sent by the Punjab Home Department to the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control.

The move comes as the Kissan Ittehad and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have announced separate long marches and sit-ins in Islamabad. PTI has planned a march for September 27, with the party demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan.

Under the request, three Rangers companies would be deployed in Rawalpindi, including one in Rawalpindi city and two in Taxila. Five Rangers wings have been requested for Attock, while one company each has been sought for Jhelum and Mianwali.

The proposed deployment has been sought under Article 245 of the Constitution, provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Pakistan Rangers Ordinance 1959.

The Punjab Home Department said the request was approved after discussions at a meeting of the provincial Standing Committee of the Cabinet on Law and Order on September 20.

The committee reviewed a security assessment presented by police authorities, relevant directions issued by the Islamabad High Court and instructions from the Punjab Services and General Administration Department.

Following the review, the committee authorised the provincial government to approach the federal interior ministry for the deployment of troops to maintain law and order in the four districts.

Security preparations are also being stepped up in Rawalpindi Division and Islamabad ahead of the expected demonstrations. Authorities are preparing contingency measures to deal with possible security challenges and maintain public order.

More than 22,000 security personnel, under the command of eight deputy inspectors general, are expected to be deployed in Islamabad. More than 30,000 personnel are also planned for deployment in Attock, a key route connecting Punjab with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.