LAHORE: The new uniform of Punjab police has failed to meet universal approval because of its dull colour.

It is being said that the pattern approved initially is quite different from what has been stocked a few days before distribution among the force.

Currently, the strength of the Punjab police is said to be 200,000 with most of them in the provincial capital where the distribution is being started from March 27. An extensive debate has started in police circles about the “less attractive” new olive green uniform.

Employee says design shown initially different from what is ready to be distributed

“Picture of the one shared earlier with the regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) before final approval was more attractive and graceful than the one to be distributed now,” a police employee told Dawn.

Requesting anonymity, he said their reservations had reached the higher authorities, but they were not taking them seriously.

“This is the appropriate time to review the design and colour of the uniform according to the one shown to us earlier,” the employee asserted.

On the other hand, police authorities attributed the difference in photos to mobile phone quality.

Inspector General Mushtaq Sukhera said they had approved the uniform after getting a feedback from field commanders and that cloth quality and design were very comfortable in our dusty, warm environment.

The pattern was selected out of several ones developed by professionals.

He said it was high time that along the pattern of the army, stitched uniform was provided to police officials.

“Apparently, the difference in photos of both uniforms shared by police employees is due to the quality of the mobile phone camera,” Additional Inspector General (Logistics) Humayun Bashir Tarar told Dawn.

Defending the final decision, he said photos of both uniforms might have been taken in dim lights. The uniform had been designed by top engineers from an engineering university in Faisalabad and manufactured by the same firm providing similar services to the army.

“It is a high quality, weather-friendly, low-priced and conformable uniform as compared to the previous black-coloured one,” Mr Tarar added.

He said the new uniform featured a two-pocket shirt, four-pocket cargo trouser and a cap. It resembled the uniform of soldiers, he said. Dispelling the impression of police employees about the new uniform, he further said that an extensive process was followed before and after finalising the design. The process included testing of design, quality, shade, colour and quality by an “internationally reputed” lab.

According to the notification issued by Punjab police, a badge of the national flag shall be affixed with Velcro. The police arm badge of the approved pattern shall be worn 2cm blow the flag. Unlike the previous uniform, the new shirt shall be open in the front with concealed buttons.

The notification further stated that distribution of the new uniform shall start from March 27 from Lahore.

Later, it will be distributed in Rawalpindi on April 30, Faisalabad May 30, Multan June 30, Sheikhupura July 30, Gujranwala Aug 30, Sargodha and Bahawalpur Sept 30 and Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan Oct 30.

Similarly, it will be distributed to other police units, including transport wing, on Nov 30.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2017