Capital’s Rangers deployment extended to Oct 15 as PTI prepares for march

The federal government in a major decision amid political tensions has extended the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad till October 15.

A notice to that effect was issued on Saturday. Up to 3,000 soldiers would be deployed in the capital until October 15, the announcement said. The federal government has earlier approved the deployment of Rangers through October 5.

KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated in a statement that the first phase of the long march would start on Sunday (today) from Gundi Chowk, Lakki Marwat.

The opposition and government talks close with no positive outcome, meaning the standoff continues as the PTI has called for a protracted march on Islamabad from Sunday (today).

The standoff between the government and the PTI had moved to administrative issues relating to counter-terrorism.

Sources say the PTI was not willing to implement several administrative measures in terrorism-affected areas and also had reservations on the government’s counter-terrorism plan.

Sources said the administration had made plain that if there was no action on the counterterrorism problem, then progress on other subjects would also be blocked.

“There is still a deadlock in talks with the government and nothing will be finalised until the meeting with the PTI founder,” opposition leader Allama Nasir Abbas remarked.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also held talks with President Asif Zardari. He consulted major political figures and legal experts.
Authorities in the federal capital sought to extend the deployment of 3,000 paramilitary Rangers in Islamabad until Oct. 15, official documents showed on Saturday, as the government and opposition held talks to defuse tensions ahead of a planned march by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party.

The plea comes as officials continue to beef up security in and around the capital ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) march, which is scheduled to leave Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday.

Transporters are complaining that their transportation of goods has been hindered, with shipping containers placed to block crucial routes.