The Punjab government has requested the federal government to deploy Pakistan Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali from September 22 to October 5 to assist police with law-and-order duties amid preparations for a planned protest in Islamabad.

The request comes ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) planned long march towards Islamabad on September 27. The party has said the protest is aimed at seeking the release of its founder, Imran Khan.

According to a letter sent by the Punjab Home Department to the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, three companies of Rangers have been requested for Rawalpindi, including one for Rawalpindi city and two for Taxila.

Five Rangers wings have been sought for Attock, while one company each has been requested for Jhelum and Mianwali.

The proposed deployment would be made under Article 245 of the Constitution, Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, and Sections 7(b) and 10 of the Pakistan Rangers Ordinance, 1959.

The letter said the request was discussed during the 59th meeting of the Punjab Cabinet’s Standing Committee on Law and Order, held on September 20.

The meeting reviewed a situational assessment presented by police authorities, relevant orders of the Islamabad High Court and instructions issued by the Punjab government’s Services and General Administration Department.

Following the review, the committee authorised the Punjab Home Department to approach the federal interior ministry for the deployment of troops to assist in maintaining law and order in the four districts.

The latest request is part of wider security preparations in Rawalpindi, Attock and Islamabad ahead of the planned political activity.

According to security preparations reported earlier, around 30,000 personnel are being deployed in Attock, while additional security measures have been put in place at key routes connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab and Islamabad.

Authorities have also positioned containers at important crossings, including Attock Bridge and Haroon Bridge, while security has been tightened around major entry and exit points.

The government has separately announced the closure of the M-1 motorway, M-14 motorway and the GT Road at Attock Khurd from Wednesday evening until further notice as part of measures to prevent protesters from reaching Islamabad.

The security arrangements come as the PTI continues preparations for its September 27 protest. Police have also arrested dozens of PTI workers in Rawalpindi and other parts of Punjab ahead of the planned event.

The Punjab government had also previously sought assistance from the armed forces under Article 245 for security duties during periods of heightened security concerns and major public events.