IGP denies any decision on relocation; 40,000 personnel deployed for PTI march face allegations of inadequate food and living conditions, while five officers have died on duty
LAHORE: Uncertainty over a possible deployment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has added to the concerns of Punjab Police personnel already stationed in Rawalpindi division to manage security during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest march. Reports that 25,000 of the 40,000 deployed personnel could be moved from Attock to KP following the declaration of an emergency and the imposition of governor’s rule have caused further unease among the exhausted force.
A Punjab Police officer said personnel were already struggling with fatigue, sleep deprivation and inadequate living conditions. The possibility of being sent to KP, where they fear similar problems, has emerged as an additional challenge.
Over the past few weeks, allegations have surfaced regarding the supply of stale and poor-quality food to police personnel deployed in Attock and Wah Cantt. Officers have also complained about unhygienic catering, inadequate washroom facilities and unsafe living conditions.
Videos allegedly recorded by personnel and circulated on social media have reportedly shown insects or worms in food served to the force. Some senior police officers have backed the complaints, accusing the Rawalpindi police administration of mismanagement and failing to address the concerns adequately.
A senior officer said the local administration had dismissed the recordings as part of a conspiracy by individual employees rather than taking sufficient steps to resolve the issues. He also alleged that disagreements had taken place between senior Rawalpindi police officials and officers from other regions of Punjab who had arrived to command their respective contingents in Attock and Wah Cantt.
The controversy has intensified following the deaths of five police personnel during the two-week security deployment. According to Punjab Inspector General of Police Abdul Kareem, the deceased were constables Zulfiqar Ahmed, Zain Ali, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Shahzad and Usman Idrees.
The IGP said two personnel died following heart attacks, while Zain Ali accidentally drowned after slipping into Ghazi Canal. The remaining two died from severe medical complications while performing their duties.
Mr Kareem rejected reports that a police employee had died from a snakebite, saying the personnel concerned was receiving treatment.
Addressing speculation about the proposed deployment to KP, the IGP said no final decision had been taken and no orders had been issued to relocate the Punjab Police force.
“Although no final decision has been made yet to send the force to KP, if it happens, we will make it public officially,” he told Dawn.
On complaints about food quality, the IGP said measures were being taken on a priority basis to ensure better meals for personnel stationed in Attock and Wah Cantt. He rejected allegations of widespread adulteration, describing the reports as incorrect.
Mr Kareem claimed that an inquiry into complaints had found a police employee deliberately mixing water into food. He added that the Punjab Food Authority had been assigned to monitor food quality and had deployed teams to ensure the provision of hygienic meals and safe drinking water.
Despite the assurances, concerns over food, sanitation, accommodation and the demanding nature of the deployment remain central to the unease among personnel awaiting clarity on their possible transfer to KP.
