The federal government has approved a request for the deployment of the Army and Rangers in Punjab on Wednesday ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march towards Islamabad scheduled for September 27.
According to sources, Rangers contingents will remain deployed in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Mianwali until October 5, 2026.
Sources indicate that the request to deploy additional Rangers personnel across various districts was made in view of the security situation in Punjab, and the federal government has granted its approval.
How will Rangers be deployed in Punjab?
According to sources, the deployment of three Rangers companies was requested for Rawalpindi. A recommendation was made to deploy five Rangers wings in Attock.
Similarly, one Rangers company each will be deployed in Jhelum and Mianwali. Sources state that the Rangers contingents will remain stationed in these districts until October 5, 2026.
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According to sources, the Rangers’ deployment has been authorised under Article 245 of the Constitution of Pakistan, Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, and Sections 7(b) and 10 of the Pakistan Rangers Ordinance 1959.
Sources report that a formal communication was sent to the Federal Ministry of Interior requesting security assistance. This was after a request from the Punjab Police.
This communication was addressed to the Federal Ministry of Interior by Home Secretary Ahmed Javed Qazi, requesting the deployment of Rangers for security purposes.
Following the federal government’s approval of the request, the deployment of Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Mianwali will be implemented.
Major roads to close ahead of PTI march
According to the National Highways and Motorway Police, the M-1 motorway will close in both directions between Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chach Interchange from Wednesday evening, September 23. Several interchanges along the route will also be closed.
The M-14 motorway will also be closed between Hakla and Kundal, affecting several interchanges, including Fateh Jang, Pindi Gheb, Daud Khel, Isa Khel and Kundal.
The GT Road (N-5) will also be closed at Attock Khurd from Wednesday evening, according to the Motorway Police.
