Rangers to Stay in Islamabad, Punjab Until October 15 Amid PTI March Plans

The deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Islamabad and Punjab has been extended until October 15, 2026, in view of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned long march, sources said.

According to sources, the Rangers deployment, which was previously scheduled to remain in place until October 5, has now been extended for another 10 days until October 15.

The extension comes as authorities maintain heightened security arrangements in the federal capital and Punjab ahead of PTI’s planned long march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards Islamabad on Sunday.

In Islamabad, authorities have already positioned freight containers at key routes leading into the capital as part of security arrangements, prompting transporters to complain about disruptions to the movement of goods.

Official documents had earlier revealed that the Islamabad administration sought an extension in the deployment of 3,000 Rangers personnel in the capital until October 15.

According to the documents, the Office of the Chief Commissioner Islamabad wrote to the Ministry of Interior on October 1, requesting that the deployment period of 3,000 Rangers personnel, including command, for Islamabad Capital Territory Police be extended from October 5 to October 15.

The letter followed a request made by Islamabad Police on the same day.

Islamabad Police had earlier sought the deployment of 3,000 Rangers personnel from September 20 to October 5 to “augment existing resources in view of the anticipated law and order situation in Islamabad Capital Territory.”

With the latest extension, Rangers will now remain deployed in Islamabad and Punjab until October 15 amid security arrangements surrounding the planned PTI march.

Meanwhile, talks between the government and opposition are continuing for a second day over ending the planned long march.