Riot force retained amid police pullback

Authorities decide to withdraw additional personnel as security situation improves

PAKISTAN:

Authorities have decided to withdraw additional police personnel deployed in Attock, Mianwali and Rawalpindi in phases following the improvement in the law and order situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa after the imposition of emergency measures and governor's rule.

However, the specialised Riot Management Force, trained to handle unrest in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, will remain deployed at its current locations until further orders.

More than 29,000 additional police personnel were deployed in Attock, around 22,000 in Islamabad and over 5,000 in Rawalpindi to assist the district police in maintaining law and order and dealing with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's planned long march and sit-in.

According to sources, senior authorities have issued directives to force commanders and relevant officials to begin the phased withdrawal of personnel from Attock, Mianwali and Rawalpindi as conditions return to normal. The withdrawal schedule and procedure will be finalised in consultation with the regional police officers (RPOs), city police officers (CPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) concerned.

The instructions require strict adherence to the agreed schedule, with personnel to remain deployed at their current locations with all necessary facilities until their withdrawal. Police contingents will be recalled in three phases, and the process is expected to begin on Monday evening.

The removal of containers and temporary barricades installed at various locations also began in phases on Monday.

Before withdrawing the personnel, officials have been directed to complete records of deployed officers, vehicles and other equipment. Senior police commanders have also been instructed to maintain security and operational readiness until the withdrawal process is completed.

Meanwhile, the decision to retain the Anti-Riot Management Force in Rawalpindi and Islamabad reflects the authorities' intention to maintain preparedness for any potential law and order situation.

Officials have also acknowledged the services of police officers and personnel who have performed prolonged and demanding duties during the security operation, stressing that the withdrawal of other contingents must be carried out in a safe, organised and coordinated manner.