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