Pakistan Army Deployed in Rawalpindi for Six Months Under Article 245
The federal government has authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army personnel in Rawalpindi for six months, placing three companies of troops at the disposal of local authorities for sensitive security duties. The decision was taken under Article 245 of the Constitution following a request from the Punjab Home Department and takes effect immediately.
More than 400 army personnel are expected to be covered by the deployment. They will work in coordination with the Rawalpindi district administration to reinforce security arrangements, particularly at sensitive locations and important roads, while remaining available to assist civilian authorities if an unforeseen security situation develops.
The Interior Ministry issued the formal authorisation for the deployment. The government's stated purpose is to strengthen the capacity of the civil administration to maintain law and order and respond effectively to circumstances requiring additional security support. The arrangement is scheduled to remain in place for six months unless authorities subsequently revise it.
Article 245 provides the constitutional framework under which Pakistan's armed forces may be called upon to assist the civil authorities when authorised by the federal government. Such deployments place military personnel in a supporting security role while the civilian administration continues to perform its regular administrative and law-enforcement responsibilities.
The development comes at a sensitive time for Rawalpindi and the neighbouring federal capital, where authorities routinely maintain heightened security around government installations, major roads and other strategically important locations. Rawalpindi is also home to major military facilities, increasing the importance of coordination between federal, provincial, district and security authorities when additional protective measures are introduced.
Separately on Saturday, security concerns in Rawalpindi drew further attention after an armed man was killed following an exchange of fire with security personnel on Mall Road. Officials said a member of a security patrol was injured after the man allegedly opened fire. The reported incident occurred after the Interior Ministry order authorising the six-month deployment had already been issued, and authorities have not presented it as the reason for the original decision.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar subsequently commented on the Mall Road incident and criticised PTI after security sources linked the alleged attacker to the party. Those claims concern the separate shooting incident rather than the constitutional notification authorising the army deployment. The deployment itself was approved on the basis of a request from Punjab's Home Department for assistance with sensitive security duties.
The immediate next step will be operational coordination between the army units and Rawalpindi's district administration. Authorities are expected to determine where personnel are required, how sensitive sites and routes will be covered and how military assistance will be activated if security conditions demand it. The six-month duration makes the measure a significant security arrangement for Rawalpindi and ensures the additional deployment can remain available well beyond the immediate period.