Lahore, 6 November, 2026 (Nosheen): The federal government has approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Punjab Rangers to support security arrangements for the November 8 by-elections in Gujranwala and Sahiwal, as authorities step up measures to ensure peaceful and orderly polling. According to the approved security plan, both forces will remain on standby from November 7 to 9 to respond to any emergency before, during or immediately after the elections. The deployment will cover National Assembly constituency NA-77 Gujranwala-I and Punjab Assembly constituency PP-203 Sahiwal-VI, where by-elections are being held following the deaths of two Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmakers. The Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control approved the deployment in response to requests submitted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on September 30 and October 2, 2026. Under the three-tier security arrangement, police will be responsible for primary security at polling stations, while Punjab Rangers will serve as the second line of response and the Pakistan Army will provide additional support as the third layer. Officials said the Army and Rangers would perform standby and quick-response duties rather than take over routine security responsibilities at polling stations. The arrangement aims to ensure the timely mobilisation of additional security personnel in case of disturbances, violence or any other threat during the electoral process.