Special powers given to Rangers, FC in Islamabad ahead of PTI protest

Islamabad police also requested assistance from law enforcement agencies in Punjab and Sindh

The federal government has granted special powers to the Rangers and the Frontier Corps (FC) ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest scheduled for November 24.

A written order from the Ministry of Interior confirmed that the Rangers and FC would be empowered under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 to assist the police in maintaining law and order during the planned demonstration in Islamabad.

The directive states that the Punjab Rangers and FC will provide support to the local police to ensure peace and security across the capital.

Ahead of PTI’s protest, Islamabad police have requested assistance from law enforcement agencies in Punjab and Sindh. Punjab will send two additional Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) and ten District Police Officers (DPOs) to oversee the situation. The ten DPOs will be accompanied by five hundred personnel each.

Furthermore, two thousand personnel from Sindh and Punjab Constabulary have been requested, and the Rangers and Punjab police will also be deployed with anti-riot kits.

A total of four thousand Rangers and five thousand FC personnel will be stationed across Islamabad to ensure the peaceful conduct of the protest, with Rangers operating anti-riot gear.

Punjab police have intensified preparations to prevent a planned protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad on 24 November, as authorities vowed to take strict action against those attempting to disrupt law and order.

A total of 10,700 officers have been placed on standby across the province. An official memo issued by the Additional Inspector General (AIG) outlined the mobilisation of personnel from various police units.