Army and Rangers approved for Gujranwala and Sahiwal by-elections

The federal government has approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Punjab Rangers for by-elections in two Punjab constituencies, NA-77 Gujranwala-I of the National Assembly and PP-203 Sahiwal-VI of the Punjab Assembly. Daily Pakistan reported that the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control issued a formal order for the deployment.

Polling in both constituencies is scheduled for 8 November. The army and Rangers will remain deployed from 7 to 9 November 2026, covering the day before polling, polling day and the day after.

According to the reports, the aim is to ensure peaceful conduct of the by-elections. 24 News said, citing sources, that the troops will assist the Election Commission of Pakistan in maintaining security and ensuring peaceful polling.

Daily Pakistan reported that the Election Commission of Pakistan had requested the deployment on 30 September and 2 October 2026. 24 News also said the decision followed a request from the commission for security arrangements.

On the structure of the deployment, Punjab Rangers were approved as the second-tier response force and the army as the third-tier response force. Daily Pakistan reported that both will serve only as standby and quick-reaction forces. Interior Ministry sources told Daily Jang that Rangers were placed in a second-tier role and the army in a third-tier quick reaction force mode.

According to sources cited by 24 News, the army's deployment was authorised under Article 220 of the Constitution, while the Rangers would be deployed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

Separately, a notification declared a general holiday across the country on Monday 9 November for Iqbal Day, the last day of the security deployment.