Preparations begin for riot management force

5,000 constables in major cities to receive specialised training

LAHORE:

Punjab Police has begun laying the groundwork to establish a specialised Riot Management Police following the directives of the Punjab government.

The initiative, announced by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar, aims to modernise the handling of protests and public order maintenance, with implementation planned in three phases.

In the first phase, units of the Riot Management Police will be established in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Sargodha, with 5,000 constables recruited and trained specifically for anti-riot operations. Training will take place at all Punjab Police training colleges and schools.

Addressing a high-level meeting at the Central Police Office, IGP Anwar stated that the new force would leverage specialised training and modern equipment to enhance its operational effectiveness.

The meeting reviewed proposals for resources, logistics, and the establishment of a central headquarters.

DIG Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP) Athar Waheed presented an action plan, and senior police officials, including Additional IGs, DIGs, and SSPs, participated.

MD Punjab Safe Cities Authority Mohammad Ahsen Younas joined the meeting via video link.

Background of the Initiative

The move follows the violent protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad in late November, which resulted in clashes, casualties, and financial losses.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif responded to the unrest by announcing the formation of a "world-class anti-riots force."

During the inaugural meeting of the Joint Task Force (JTF) on December 1, the prime minister underscored the importance of modernizing Pakistan's approach to civil unrest.

The JTF, comprising representatives from the FIA, IB, ISI, MI, and other agencies, was tasked with identifying individuals behind the recent violence and proposing policy reforms.

The prime minister also highlighted plans to strengthen Islamabad's security infrastructure, including an upgrade to the Safe City project and the establishment of a forensic lab.

He directed authorities to accelerate investigations into the protests, ensure legal action against perpetrators, and provide weekly progress reports.

Punjab Police's Existing Anti-Riot Force

Punjab Police already operates an "Anti-Riot Force (ARF)" formed in the wake of the 2014 Model Town tragedy, where 14 members of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek lost their lives during clashes with Lahore Police.

The ARF, initiated with the assistance of the Turkish National Police, was designed to handle protests and agitations.

Pakistani officers received master trainer certifications in Turkey before raising the unit locally.

Initially launched in Lahore, the ARF was later replicated across Punjab.