The Punjab government has sought the military’s deployment in various districts, including Lahore amid the PTI’s announcement to stage rallies in the provincial capital.

This decision follows a formal request made to the federal government for military assistance.

The Punjab Home Department has sent a letter to the federal government regarding the deployment of the Pakistan Army. According to the document, the provincial government has sought military assistance in six districts across the province.

It added the Pakistan Army would take control of “sensitive buildings, airports, and other important structures.” The Home Department has communicated the request to the federal government to facilitate the military’s deployment.

Sources from the Home Department stated that Rangers have been summoned to Lahore to ensure law and order in the city. The government has requested three companies of Rangers to be deployed in Lahore, particularly at airports, airbases, and other critical locations within the city’s limits.

The federal capital administration has suspended mobile networks and internet services in the twin cities while the police have blocked all entry and points to the cities.

In recent weeks, the PTI has organised numerous rallies nationwide to protest the “unlawful” detention of its founder, the delays by the Election Commission of Pakistan in executing the verdict on reserved seats, and to advocate for the “preservation” of the Constitution.

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Prior to its rallies in Islamabad and Lahore earlier this month, the government imposed a series of stringent regulations. Imran Khan’s party did not fully adhere to these guidelines, leading to confrontations between its supporters and law enforcement agencies.

When PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram appeared on News Insight with Amir Zia via video link on Tuesday, he said that protesting is a “fundamental right” and criticized recent legislation regarding protests in Islamabad as unjust.

The protests, he stated, aim to “uphold” an independent judiciary, “protect” the Constitution, and address the issue of inflation.