Government authorises Rangers deployment in Islamabad and Punjab ahead of PTI march
The federal government has approved the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Islamabad Capital Territory and several Punjab districts from Sept 20 to Oct 5 to secure the capital ahead of the PTI’s planned protest.
The federal government, via a Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control notification, has sanctioned the deployment of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) across Islamabad Capital Territory and multiple districts of Punjab from Sept 20 through Oct 5. The deployment, authorized under the Pakistan Rangers Ordinance, 1959 and the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, responds to a request from the Islamabad chief commissioner and the Punjab Home Department to bolster security ahead of the PTI’s scheduled march on the capital on Sept 27.
Punjab officials also asked for Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali to support provincial police. Section 144 curfew orders are in force in both Islamabad and Punjab, and the interior ministry warned that Rangers and police will take necessary counter-action if attacked by disruptive groups. While the PTI has been informed that its march will be blocked, it alleges that back-channel confidence-building measures were offered, a claim refuted by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, who said no such offers were made.
Why it matters
The deployment signals heightened security tensions ahead of a major opposition protest in Pakistan’s capital.
How this story developed
- Sep 18 Suicide blast tears through mosque at Kohat police complex, killing 16
- Sep 18 The death toll has been confirmed at 16 after earlier reports cited higher numbers.
- Sep 19 More than 100 injured so far in the militant attack and suicide bombing, the vast majority of them police personnel, and several were in a critical condition, the official said.
- Sep 19 Death toll rose to at least 31.
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