ISLAMABAD: The federal government has authorised the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Islamabad and various districts of Punjab amid security preparations ahead of PTI’s planned long march on the federal capital scheduled for September 27.
According to the notification issued by the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics, the Rangers personnel will be deployed from September 20 to October 5, 2026.
The deployment was authorised pursuant to requests from the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory and the Home Department of the Government of Punjab under Sections 7(b) and 10 of the Pakistan Rangers Ordinance, 1959 and Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, it stated.
According to the notification, Rangers personnel will discharge functions as specified under the Ordinance and Act, as authorised by the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad and the provincial government.
The deployed troops are authorised to respond appropriately in self-defence to any threats or violent activities encountered in the course of their duties, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
The Ministry of Interior directed that Rangers and police take full measures to deal with any violent activity or threat, and that appropriate and necessary responsive action be taken in the event of attacks by disruptive or armed groups.
The deployment comes as PTI prepares for a major protest and march on Islamabad, with the party demanding the release of its incarcerated founder Imran Khan and what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy. –Agencies
