The federal government has approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi for a period of six months, according to an official notification.
The deployment has been authorized under Article 245 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which allows the armed forces to act in aid of civil power when requested by the relevant authorities.
Under the notification, three companies of the Pakistan Army will remain deployed in Rawalpindi for six months. The decision was taken following a request from the Punjab Home Department, after which the federal cabinet approved the deployment.
The troops will work alongside the district administration to help maintain law and order in the city. Authorities have also decided to strengthen security arrangements at sensitive locations and along important roads and routes.
The deployment comes as part of broader security measures aimed at ensuring stability and preventing any disruption to public order. The army will assist the civilian administration rather than replace it, with responsibility for routine administration remaining with the relevant civil authorities.
According to the notification, the deployment is intended to provide additional security support at locations considered sensitive and at major thoroughfares where enhanced security may be required.
The use of Article 245 provides the constitutional framework for deploying the armed forces in support of the civil administration. Such deployments are generally intended to assist civilian authorities in maintaining public order and responding to security concerns.
The six-month period means that the deployment will remain in place for an extended period rather than being limited to a particular event or short-term security requirement. The exact operational arrangements, including the locations where troops will be positioned and the specific duties assigned to them, will be coordinated with the district administration.
The decision has placed Rawalpindi among the cities where the federal government has authorized military assistance to civilian authorities for maintaining law and order. Rawalpindi is particularly significant from a security perspective because of its strategic importance and the presence of major military and government installations.
Under the approved arrangement, the three army companies will coordinate with local authorities to improve security at sensitive sites and major roads. The stated objective is to ensure that the civil administration has additional support in dealing with potential law-and-order challenges.
The notification follows the Punjab Home Department’s formal request for the deployment. The federal cabinet subsequently gave its approval, allowing the armed forces to be deployed under the constitutional provision.
The government has not indicated that the army will assume the ordinary functions of the police or district administration. Instead, the notification describes the role as supporting the civilian authorities in maintaining law and order and strengthening security arrangements.
For residents of Rawalpindi, the deployment could mean an increased security presence at selected sensitive locations and important routes. However, the notification itself does not provide details about the precise deployment points or whether residents will face any restrictions on movement.
The six-month authorization also provides the government with a longer-term security mechanism should the situation require continued assistance from the armed forces. Any changes to the deployment or its duration would depend on subsequent government decisions and the prevailing security situation.
In summary, the federal cabinet has approved the deployment of three companies of the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi for six months under Article 245. The deployment was requested by the Punjab Home Department and will involve the army working with the district administration to maintain law and order and enhance security at sensitive locations and important roads.
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