RAWALPINDI: As many as 2,100 personnel of Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP) have reached the garrison city to assist local police in maintaining law and order during the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) long march and birth anniversary celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Attock.

According to police sources, of the 2,100 PHP personnel, 65 reserves comprising 1,300 personnel will be placed at the disposal of Nankana Sahib and Attock districts to make foolproof security arrangements for the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Out of the 65 reserves of PHP, 15 reserves comprising 300 personnel have been placed at the disposal of Attock while 50 reserves have been allocated to Nankana Sahib.

The senior officers of PHP have been directed to ensure maintenance of discipline of the deployed force, while the district officers of districts concerned shall ensure that an allocated number of PHP personnel is dispatched and reported to the borrowing districts well in time.

Additionally, transportation arrangements for the PHP personnel shall be made by borrowing districts in coordination with SSP Motor Transport MT wing Punjab police, while the arrangements for safe and adequate accommodation, food and welfare of the arriving force shall be ensured by borrowing districts.

“Strict departmental action will be taken against absentees, if any,” he said.

Likewise, 20 reserves (anti-riot) of PHP comprising 400 personnel who had been provided to Gujranwala region will proceed to Rawalpindi to assist the police and 400 personnel of PHP, allocated to Rawalpindi have reached the garrison city.

The PHP personnel who reached Rawalpindi have been stationed at different police stations. The 400 PHP personnel provided to Gujranwala district for security duty of the long march shall be rolled over to Rawalpindi district after completion of duty at Gujranwala district. The force shall be dispatched under a proper command structure and they shall bring with them personal bedding, proper uniform and service cards.

The Punjab Constabulary personnel had already arrived in the Rawalpindi district to assist the local policeto maintain law and order during the long march.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2022