The federal government has approved the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab to assist local law-enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order.
According to the Interior Ministry’s notification, the deployment was approved following requests from the Chief Commissioner Islamabad and the Punjab government. The Rangers will provide security assistance and exercise powers under the relevant legal provisions.
The deployment in Punjab covers Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali. According to documents reported by Dawn and Business Recorder, Rangers have been requested in these districts from September 22 to October 5. Three companies have been sought for Rawalpindi, five Rangers wings for Attock, and one company each for Jhelum and Mianwali.
The deployment has been proposed under Article 245 of the Constitution, Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, and Sections 7(b) and 10 of the Pakistan Rangers Ordinance, 1959.
The Interior Ministry has directed Rangers and police personnel to take all necessary measures to deal with potential violent activities and security threats. The notification also states that law-enforcement personnel may take appropriate action in self-defence in the event of attacks by violent or armed groups.
The move comes amid heightened security preparations in Islamabad and parts of Punjab ahead of planned political protests and long marches later this month.
The deployed Rangers personnel will assist the police in maintaining law and order and provide security support wherever required.
