LAHORE: The police department provisionally reinstated the 54 policemen hours after dismissing them for being absent from the high profile and VVIP assignments in Lahore.

The sources said they were reportedly found absent last on Sunday when the city had witnessed high-profile VVIP movements.

An official said the police department had made heavy deployment on the multiple routes in various parts of the city.

He said Sunday was a highly sensitive day as the president, chief justice and prime minister were present in the city to attend scheduled events and meetings.

Similarly, he said, there was also movement of the international cricket teams of Australia and England the same day and the police high-ups had made deployments on multiple routes.

Following the sensitivity of the matter involved in this respect, the official said, the policemen deployed on the routes and other parts of the city for security purposes were strictly directed to follow the standard operating procedures devised especially for VVIP activities.

He said 54 policemen were found absent from their respective sensitive duties, a gross violation that was taken seriously by the top management of the Lahore police.

Following the complaints, the Lahore Operations DIG took notice of the negligence, got it inquired and then issued orders for the dismissal of all the absent policemen from their services.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2025