Muhammad Irfanullah | August 22, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved the deployment of three companies of the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi for six months to assist the district administration in maintaining law and order and strengthening security arrangements in the city.
The deployment has been authorised under Article 245 of the Constitution following a request from the Punjab Home Department, according to the government decision.
More than 400 army personnel are expected to be deployed under the arrangement. The troops will work in coordination with the Rawalpindi district administration and perform security duties at sensitive locations and along important roads.
The deployment is aimed at helping the civil administration prevent any undesirable situation and respond effectively to any unforeseen or untoward incident.
Deployment requested by Punjab government
The Punjab Home Department had approached the federal government seeking the services of the armed forces for security duties in Rawalpindi.
Following consideration of the request, the federal government approved the deployment of three army companies for a period of six months.
The decision means that army personnel will supplement the existing security arrangements in the district while the civil administration will continue to remain responsible for routine law-and-order matters.
What Article 245 provides
Article 245 of the Constitution allows the armed forces to act in aid of civil power when called upon by the federal government.
The provision has been used on several occasions to provide military assistance to civilian authorities during periods when additional security arrangements are considered necessary.
In Rawalpindi, the army will assist the district administration rather than take over its administrative responsibilities.
The exact deployment locations and duties of the troops will be determined in coordination with the relevant civil and military authorities.
Security at sensitive locations
Under the approved arrangement, army personnel will assist in strengthening security at sensitive locations and important routes in Rawalpindi.
The troops will also remain available to assist the district administration in responding to any emergency or unexpected security situation.
Rawalpindi is a major garrison city and is home to a number of important government and military installations. Its proximity to Islamabad also makes the district strategically significant from a security perspective.
More than 400 personnel to be deployed
Three companies of the Pakistan Army, comprising more than 400 personnel, will be deployed under the six-month arrangement.
The additional manpower is expected to strengthen security coverage at key locations and provide the administration with additional resources in the event of an emergency.
The deployment will also allow civilian authorities to coordinate with military personnel when a situation requires additional security support.
Why the deployment will last six months
The federal government has approved the deployment for six months rather than for a shorter period.
During this period, the security situation in Rawalpindi will be monitored by the relevant authorities and the need for continued military assistance can be assessed.
The government has not publicly provided detailed information about a specific threat that prompted the six-month deployment. The official justification refers broadly to the need to prevent an undesirable situation and enable the district administration to respond effectively to unforeseen circumstances. (The Express Tribune)
The timing of the decision has also attracted attention because of recent security developments in the city. However, the government has not officially linked the deployment to any particular political activity or incident. (MM News)
Army to assist, not replace, civil administration
The deployment does not mean that the military will take over the administration of Rawalpindi.
The district administration and civilian law-enforcement agencies will continue to perform their regular responsibilities, while the army will provide additional support where required.
Officials will coordinate security arrangements and determine the duties of the deployed personnel according to the requirements of the district administration.
Rawalpindi security arrangements
The deployment comes as authorities continue to focus on security at important public locations, major roads and sensitive installations in Rawalpindi.
The city’s location next to Islamabad, its status as a major garrison centre and the presence of important state institutions make maintaining security a significant administrative priority.
The government expects the additional deployment to improve the authorities’ ability to deal with any potential disruption and respond quickly if an emergency arises.
What happens after six months?
The deployment has currently been authorised for six months.
At the end of the period, the relevant authorities will assess the security situation and determine whether the army’s assistance is still required.
If conditions improve, the troops could be withdrawn after the approved period. Any extension or further deployment would require the relevant legal and administrative process.
For now, the three army companies will work alongside the Rawalpindi district administration, with their primary role being to strengthen security and assist the civilian authorities in maintaining law and order.
