Govt extends Rangers’ deployment in Islamabad by 90 days

Deployment comes on request of Chief Commissioner Islamabad under Section-4 (2) of Anti-terrorism Act 1997

ISLAMABAD:  The federal government on Monday granted 90-day extension to Rangers paramilitary forces in Islamabad, read a notification from the interior ministry.

The deployment comes on the request of Chief Commissioner Islamabad under Section-4 (2) of Anti-terrorism Act 1997. Currently, there are 2,000 troops of Pakistan Rangers and 50 contingents of Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts across the federal capital while 350 troops of the Pakistan Army are also deployed in Islamabad to act in aid of civil power. The army troops have been deployed in the capital under Article 245 of the Constitution since 2014.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

Rangers and FC officials have been deployed in the federal capital to assist the police in maintaining law and order for the past few years. The paramilitary force has been performing patrol duties and assisting police in securing important buildings and events whenever needed. A few dozen Rangers personnel were routinely deployed outside the Parliament House whenever the National Assembly or the Senate was in session.



However, last month the Punjab Rangers reportedly stopped performing regular security duties around the Parliament House just days after the Rangers takeover of the accountability court complex during appearance of Nawaz Sharif before the court. The Rangers also barred the media, lawyers, cabinet members – including Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal – from entering the premises.

The interior minister launched an investigation into October 2 events, asking DG Rangers to explain on whose orders the force took over the complex, since the civil administration repeatedly said it did not ask for deployment.



In April, federal government granted an extension in policing power of Rangers in Punjab 60 days after Cabinet Committee for law and order recommended extending stay of the paramilitary force. Rangers were called in Punjab two months back in February.