ISLAMABAD, September 24 — The federal government has approved the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Islamabad and various districts of Punjab to assist authorities in maintaining law and order and providing security support.
The approval was granted by the Ministry of Interior following requests from the Chief Commissioner Islamabad and the Punjab government, according to the ministry’s notification. Contemporary reports on the notification also describe the measure as an approval for Rangers deployment rather than simply a general security directive.
Under the decision, Rangers will provide assistance under the legal powers available to them and support police and other authorities in dealing with security threats and maintaining public order.
The Interior Ministry said the deployment had been authorised under Sections 7(b) and 10 of the Pakistan Rangers Ordinance, 1959, as well as Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
According to the notification, Rangers and police have been instructed to take appropriate and necessary action in self-defence in the event of attacks by armed groups.
The ministry has also directed both forces to take necessary measures to respond to any violent activity or security threat.
Rangers personnel assigned under the decision will perform duties related to maintaining law and order and providing security assistance to the relevant authorities.
The notification places particular emphasis on coordination between Rangers and police, with the paramilitary force expected to supplement civilian law-enforcement agencies where additional security support is required.
The decision follows formal requests from the Islamabad administration and the Punjab government for Rangers assistance. Reports based on the notification confirm that the approval covers the federal capital as well as multiple districts of Punjab.
The provided notification does not itself specify a political party, protest or march as the reason for the approval. The measure is framed as a law-and-order and security decision.