2,500 policemen to return home today

E-Paper | May 06, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has relieved 2,500 personnel of the Punjab police who will return to their districts on Wednesday, sources said on Tuesday.

The government had sought the services of Punjab police to counter the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) protests.

At present, more than 11,000 personnel of the Punjab police are on security duty in Islamabad.

These personnel are facing several problems, including accommodation, in the federal capital.

This is the second time that the Punjab police authorities have demanded the federal government to relieve their force as their services would be required for Eid security duties, sources told Dawn.

A similar demand was made when the catastrophic floods hit parts of the province but the federal government refused to free them. Now the Punjab police will need their force for deployment at mosques and Eidgahs, the sources added.

Besides, the PTI chief has extended his protest to other parts of the country so they will also need the personnel, sources added.

The capital police have, however, refused to spare the entire contingent of Punjab police and were willing to let go 2,500 policemen.

Published in Dawn, October 1st , 2014

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Breathe Pakistan: Conference on climate change begins in Islamabad

Govt says victory in Marka-i-Haq has 'elevated Pakistan’s global standing'

Legal eagles help bridge gap on Nikahnama reform

Whatever

Oct 01, 2014 02:19pm

Finally, the poor guys can go home

Recommend 0

Fatima

Oct 01, 2014 04:37pm

Good News! Punjab Police has lost all respect because of their violent behavior in Model Town and Islamabad. Also, finally the schools occupied by Punjab Police in Islamabad will start reopening and students can resume their education.

Recommend 0

Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

Oct 01, 2014 06:16pm

Issue show cause notice. 2500 policemen brought from Lahore to Islamabad are returning back to pavilion but why and how when their job is not yet done. They were brought up to the capital because of 2 dharnas of Imran + Qadri but the question is as to how can they go back when dharnas are still continuing? If government could deal with dharnas without them then why were they called in the 1st instance? Who will deal with dharnas now minus Punjab Police? Has now Islamabad Police become capable of handling both dharnas,if the answer is yes then we must dog out as to how they acquire the skills and expertise and that too in short period of time from 16 August till 1st October? On the face of it I do not think anyone has any judicious answer to my questions and hence it justifies that show cause notice be issued to the concerned officials both in Islamabad and Lahore accordingly to prove the rationale behind their action to send 2,500 policemen from Lahore to Islamabad and then calling them back before end of dharnas in Islamabad. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Chery Master Pakistan wins Best Rising Star Global Award at Chery Global Conference 2026

The award reflects the rapid progress Chery has achieved in Pakistan, driven by strong market acceptance and growing consumer trust.

KP sets climate agenda, calls for global cooperation and green economy shift

The task ahead is not to define the problem, it is to accelerate solutions.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa expands climate action with one Million Tree Drive and forest reforms

The province is turning policy into action through a series of large scale programmes aimed at rebuilding ecosystems and improving resilience against rising climate pressures.