Govt approves Rangers deployment in Islamabad, Punjab ahead of PTI’s Sept 27 march

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab to assist local administrations in maintaining law and order ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned protest march on the federal capital on September 27.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, the deployment has been authorised from September 20 to October 5 on the request of the Islamabad chief commissioner and the Punjab government.

The deployment has been authorised under Sections 7(b) and 10 of the Pakistan Rangers Ordinance, 1959, and Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, with the Rangers to perform functions specified under the relevant laws as authorised by the Islamabad administration or the Punjab government.

The notification said the deployed Rangers personnel could respond appropriately in self-defence to threats or violent activities encountered during their duties.

The Interior Ministry separately directed Rangers and police to take all appropriate and necessary action in self-defence in case of attacks by disruptive or armed groups and to take measures to deal with violent activities.

Rangers deployment sought in four Punjab districts

The Punjab government had earlier requested Rangers deployment in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali until October 5 to assist provincial police in maintaining law and order.

The request included three Rangers companies for Rawalpindi, five wings for Attock and one company each for Jhelum and Mianwali, according to the Punjab Home Department.

The Punjab government said that the request followed security assessments and alerts regarding possible terrorist attacks during large public gatherings.

The Punjab Home Department said intelligence agencies had issued alerts about possible attacks involving suicide bombers, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and target killings, adding that rallies, sit-ins, processions and other large gatherings could become potential targets.

Punjab has also imposed Section 144 across the province until October 5, banning gatherings of five or more people in public places, roads and open spaces.

The provincial government has separately requested the federal Interior Ministry to downgrade or suspend mobile and internet services at specified locations in Rawalpindi and Attock on September 27 as part of security arrangements.

Security tightened ahead of PTI march

The measures come ahead of the PTI’s planned march on Islamabad on September 27. The party has said the march is aimed at seeking the release of its founder Imran Khan.

Security preparations have also been stepped up in the twin cities as more than 43,000 police personnel have been deployed across Attock, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum and Chakwal in preparation for the expected march.

Section 144 has also been imposed in Islamabad, where the district administration has warned against gatherings and urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies.