Punjab seeks Rangers deployment in four districts ahead of PTI Islamabad march

The Punjab government has sought the deployment of Rangers in four districts to maintain law and order ahead of the Imran Khan-founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) planned march towards Islamabad on September 27.

The request comes amid security preparations ahead of the major opposition party's nationwide protests and march on the federal capital, aiming at securing the release of its incarcerated founder Imran Khan and ensuring constitutional supremacy.

The Punjab Home Department has written to the Ministry of Interior seeking Rangers' deployment in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali, according to its spokesperson.

The Punjab Home Department has requested three Rangers companies for Rawalpindi and recommended five wings for Attock. Jhelum and Mianwali will each have one Rangers company, the spokesperson said.

The federal government has already sought additional police personnel from the provinces to assist Islamabad authorities with security arrangements. Punjab is providing 19,000 police officers and personnel, while Sindh is sending a 1,950-strong contingent to the capital.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had also issued a series of directions concerning the planned march.

In its detailed verdict, the court directed chief ministers to ensure that government vehicles, machinery, funds and other official resources are not used for protests or rallies.

The IHC further ruled that no political party or leader has a lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas or other public places in a manner that obstructs citizens' movement.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed directed police officers not to facilitate any march, rally or procession heading towards Islamabad. He also warned that the police would take disciplinary action against officers who violated the court's directives.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said the government will implement the IHC order and take measures to prevent prolonged disruptions caused by protests.

Some reports suggested that contacts between the government and PTI have continued, although no breakthrough has been reported over the September 27 march.