LAHORE: Dozens of retired army personnel hired as constables by the Punjab Police in 2012 staged a demonstration outside the Lahore Press Club on Wednesday demanding renewal of contracts.

The protest lasted over five hours after which police authorities decided to extend the contracts for six months.

The protesters, clad in police uniforms and armed with official weapons, shouted slogans. Senior police officers had to intervene to pacify their subordinates who had been hired on two-year contracts for security and guard duties.

Capital City Police Officer retired Captain Amin Wains told Dawn a group of 50 protesters, including 30 of those whose contract expired on Dec 15, gathered outside the press club to demand renewal of their contracts. It was the domain of the provincial police chief, he added.

He said about 1,888 retired army personnel aged maximum 42 years had been hired by the Punjab Police in light of the security environment and shortage of cops under the administrative control of the Punjab Constabulary in 2002 on two-year contracts. He claimed the contract contained a clause that it could be terminated anytime.

Wains said renewal of the contract was initially not a priority because of the age factor, physical fitness and disciplinary issues. He said it was the discretion of the government to either renew the contract or terminate it.

Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Dr Haider Ashraf said the protesters demanded renewal of their contracts and pending salaries. He said fulfillment of their demands was subject to approval of police authorities.

He further said some protesters included those whose contracts had not expired yet. He said the protest could have taken place in anticipation of termination of contracts as the government had to announce a new policy soon.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2014