LAHORE: The Punjab government has sought the deployment of Rangers in four districts ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned march towards Islamabad on September 27, as security preparations intensify across the province and the federal capital.
The Punjab Home Department has written to the Ministry of Interior seeking Rangers deployment in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali until October 5, according to the department’s spokesperson.
The provincial government has requested three Rangers companies for Rawalpindi, including one for Rawalpindi city and two for Taxila, while five Rangers wings have been sought for Attock. One Rangers company each has been requested for Jhelum and Mianwali.
The request was approved at a meeting of the Punjab Cabinet’s Standing Committee on Law and Order and was made after provincial police sought additional security assistance in view of the expected political activity.
The proposed deployment is aimed at assisting the provincial police in maintaining law and order and protecting citizens and their property.
Meanwhile, the federal government has stepped up security arrangements in Islamabad ahead of the PTI march. Islamabad Police has sought 18,000 additional personnel from Punjab and Sindh, including 16,000 from Punjab Police and 2,000 from Sindh Police. The capital police have also requested three DIGs, seven SSPs and 18 SPs.
The Punjab government has also sought army deployment in Rawalpindi, with the proposed deployment of security forces extending until October 5.
The PTI has announced its September 27 march towards Islamabad as part of its nationwide protest campaign, with the party demanding the release of its founder Imran Khan and calling for constitutional supremacy.
The Islamabad High Court has already issued detailed directions concerning the planned protest. In its 37-page judgment, the court ruled that no political party, leader, provincial government or public office holder has a lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas or buildings in a manner that obstructs citizens’ movement or access to hospitals and educational institutions.
The court also directed provincial chief ministers to ensure that government vehicles, machinery, funds and other official resources were not used for political protests or rallies.
Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed has directed police officers not to facilitate any march, rally or procession heading towards Islamabad and warned of disciplinary action against officers who violate the court’s directions.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also said the government will implement the IHC order and take measures to prevent prolonged disruption caused by protests.
Against this backdrop, security arrangements have been intensified across Rawalpindi, Attock and Islamabad as authorities prepare for the planned September 27 political activity.