ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interior ministry has authorized the deployment of the country’s paramilitary Punjab Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) forces in Islamabad from Nov. 7 onwards, a notification said, to maintain the law and order situation ahead of a planned protest by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. 

The PTI is gearing up to lead a “long march” to Islamabad on Sunday over alleged rigging in the Feb. 8 general elections and has also called for the release of political prisoners including Khan and demanded the judiciary’s independence. On Monday, Islamabad’s district magistrate imposed a two-month-long ban on the gathering of more than five people in the capital using Section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code. 

Section 144 allows the government to prohibit various forms of political assembly, gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, demonstrations and other activities for a specified period. Earlier on Wednesday, the PTI and the government both ruled out negotiations with each other while police warned action will be taken against Khan supporters who violate the public gatherings ban. 

“The federal government in exercise of the powers conferred under Sections four and five of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 is pleased to authorize the deployment of sufficient strength of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) and Frontier Constabulary troops in ICT from Nov. 7 onwards to handle the law and order situation,” the Ministry of Interior’s notification, dated Nov. 7 but released on Wednesday, read. 

It said Islamabad’s chief commissioner had requested for the deployment of Punjab Rangers and FC forces in the capital on Nov. 4. The notification added that the number of troops, their requisitioning date and the area of their deployment will be finalized following mutual consultations between all stakeholders.

Pakistan’s parliament also passed a law earlier this year to regulate public gatherings in Islamabad, including by specifying timings for rallies and designating specific areas. The law has set three-year jail terms for participants in illegal assemblies, with a ten-year imprisonment for repeat offenders.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government has thwarted the PTI party’s recent rallies and marches organized to build pressure for Khan’s release. The former prime minister has been in jail since August 2023 and has faced dozens of cases since he was removed as premier in 2022. 

Since then, Khan has launched a protest movement against the coalition of his rivals, which critics say is backed by the all-powerful military which denies political interference.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Wednesday kicked off their joint counter-terror exercise, “Warrior-VIII,” aimed at refining soldiers’ professional skills and bolstering military-to-military ties between the two states, Pakistan Army said. 

Pakistan and China share a robust military partnership, with the two states enjoying longstanding cooperation in defense production, technology and training. China is Pakistan’s largest defense supplier, providing advanced weaponry including fighter jets and submarines to its ally. The two nations frequently collaborate through joint military exercises, counter-terrorism efforts and regional security initiatives. 

Warrior VIII is a three-week long counter-terror exercise with the eighth edition taking place at the northwestern town of Pabbi in KP’s Nowshera district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan Army’s media wing, said. 

“Opening Ceremony of Pak — China Joint Exercise Warrior-VIII between Pakistan Army and Peoples’ Liberation Army of China was conducted at National Counter Terrorism Center, Pabbi, today,” the ISPR said. 

“The exercise is aimed at refining professional skills through joint training besides harnessing the historic military-to-military relations among the iron-clad brothers.”

The exercise takes place amid a surge in attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan by separatist elements in Karachi and southwestern Balochistan province. Islamabad says the attacks are aimed at disrupting its ties with Beijing and destabilizing a multi-billion-dollar Chinese infrastructure project in Pakistan. 

A deadly suicide blast near the airport in the southern city of Karachi last month targeted Chinese engineers, killing two and injuring several. In March this year, a suicide bombing killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver in northwestern Pakistan as they headed to the Dasu Dam, the largest hydropower project in the country.

China has called on Pakistan to enhance security measures for its citizens in the country. Islamabad has vowed to ensure foolproof security measures for Chinese citizens in the country.