The Pakistan Rangers are a paramilitary242 federal law enforcement organisation243 that operate under the MoI while constituting one of the Pakistan Army’s reserve forces.244 It is composed of two entities – the Punjab Rangers and the Sindh Rangers.245 The Rangers’ duties include providing security in border areas246 (mainly along the Afghan and Indian borders),247 but also in parts of Balochistan,248 and maintaining law and order in urban zones,249 with Rangers deployed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, in Karachi250 and the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.251 The Rangers are also tasked with providing security during major events252 (e.g., protests253 and religious254 and sports gatherings255) and take part in counter-terrorism operations alongside units of the armed forces256 and police Counter-Terrorism Departments (CTDs).257
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Britannica, Pakistan, Political Process, last updated 30 March 2026, url
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Land of Pure People (The), Pakistan Rangers, 26 September 2025, url
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US, CIA, World Factbook – Pakistan, last updated 30 December 2025, archived page from 4 February 2026, url
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Land of Pure People (The), Pakistan Rangers, 26 September 2025, url
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Britannica, Pakistan, Political Process, last updated 30 March 2026, url; Land of Pure People (The), Pakistan Rangers, 26 September 2025, url
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Land of Pure People (The), Pakistan Rangers, 26 September 2025, url
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APP, Mohsin Naqvi lauds Rangers Sindh at Passing-Out Parade of Basic Course 33, 2 January 2026, url
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Land of Pure People (The), Pakistan Rangers, 26 September 2025, url
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Dawn, Rangers deployment in Karachi extended for another year, 2 December 2025, url
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Business Recorder, Interior Ministry approves deployment of Rangers, FC in Islamabad ahead of PTI protest, 20 November 2024, url
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Land of Pure People (The), Pakistan Rangers, 26 September 2025, url; Arab News, Pakistan to deploy army, paramilitary Rangers troops for tri-nation cricket series, 3 February 2025, url
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Media Line (The), Deadly Protests Erupt Across Pakistan After Killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, 3 March 2026, url
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Arab News, Thousands of security personnel, including army, deployed across Pakistan for Ashura procession, 6 July 2025, url
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Arab News, Pakistan to deploy army, paramilitary Rangers troops for tri-nation cricket series, 3 February 2025, url
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Land of Pure People (The), Pakistan Rangers, 26 September 2025, url
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Dawn, Three held in Rangers-CTD raid, 17 February 2026, url;