Pakistan Deploys Army in Rawalpindi for Six Months Under Article 245

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has authorised the deployment of three Pakistan Army companies in Rawalpindi for a six-month period, placing military personnel at the disposal of the district administration for sensitive security assignments. The decision, taken under Article 245 of the Constitution, follows a formal request from the Punjab Home Department and takes effect immediately.

According to an Interior Ministry order dated August 21, the deployment is intended to strengthen the civilian administration's capacity to deal with security risks and respond quickly if an unexpected law-and-order situation develops. The notification does not publicly identify a specific threat or incident as the sole reason for the deployment, instead giving the Rawalpindi administration broader authority to seek military assistance when required during the six-month period.

Article 245 provides the constitutional mechanism through which Pakistan's armed forces can be called upon to assist civilian authorities. Such deployments may be used to reinforce security around sensitive locations, support law-enforcement arrangements and help authorities respond to emergencies or serious public-order challenges. Under the latest approval, the army units will perform duties assigned in coordination with the local administration rather than replacing the civilian government's normal administrative responsibilities.

The timing has attracted political attention because Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is preparing for a major march towards Islamabad on September 27. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has publicly urged PTI supporters to prepare for the mobilisation and has said he intends to lead the march. Party leaders have projected a large turnout as they continue a wider political campaign centred on the release of former prime minister Imran Khan and other demands.

The Interior Ministry order itself, however, does not state that the planned PTI march is the formal reason for calling in the army. The deployment has been approved more than a month before the announced protest date, meaning authorities will have additional security personnel available during a period expected to include increased political activity. Any connection between specific protest arrangements and the military deployment would depend on subsequent instructions from the civil administration.

Rawalpindi carries particular security importance because it borders the federal capital and contains major military, administrative and strategic installations. The city has repeatedly been placed under enhanced security during large political gatherings, religious events, elections and periods of heightened threat. Its road network also provides important access routes towards Islamabad, making security decisions in Rawalpindi significant for movement around the twin cities.

The development comes during an already tense political period, with PTI intensifying its street campaign and opposition leaders maintaining pressure on the federal government. Authorities, meanwhile, are expected to prepare security plans for major public gatherings while attempting to prevent disruptions to everyday movement and essential services. The six-month authorisation gives the district administration an extended window in which it can call upon the deployed army companies according to operational requirements.

Attention will now focus on how Rawalpindi's administration assigns duties to the military personnel and whether additional security measures are announced closer to the September 27 march. As of the publication of the order, no detailed deployment locations or day-to-day operational plan had been publicly disclosed. The government will therefore be closely watched for further instructions explaining how the army deployment will be used during the coming months.