Punjab IGP calls back 800 highway policemen from Rawalpindi.

RAWALPINDI -- The inspector general of police (IGP) Punjab, on Saturday called back 800 personnel of the Punjab Highway Police (PHP) to their parent unit. These personnel were provided to the Rawalpindi district police to maintain law and order during the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) long march.

According to a directive issued by the Punjab IGP to the commandant Punjab Constabulary (PC), AIG PHP and DIG Traffic on Saturday, all the PHP personnel should report to their parent unit forthwith for their regular duties, while the Punjab Constabulary and Elite personnel provided to the City Police Officer (CPO), Rawalpindi, should continue to stay there.

'We are still on special duty in the Dhamial area as the Punjab Constabulary personnel have been performing their duty in three shifts of eight hours each,' said a PC official.

In a related development, PTI chairman Imran Khan announced on Sunday that his long march towards Islamabad would resume on Tuesday from Wazirabad where his container came under attack on Thursday last. Once the march reaches Rawalpindi, Mr Khan would then join and lead it himself.

Of the 1,805 PC personnel provided to the Gujrat district, 264 personnel shall be retained by the district police officer, Gujrat, and 300 personnel provided to the CPO Rawalpindi whereas the remaining strength shall be repatriated to their parent PC battalions forthwith.

The Gujrat DPO shall also retain 15 of 35 Elite teams allocated by the IGP...