Punjab bans permanent police escorts for ministers and officials

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the immediate cessation of permanent police escorts for provincial ministers, members of the provincial assembly, advisers, special assistants, and parliamentary secretaries. A notification issued by the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sajid Zafar Dall, also extends this restriction to government officials and private individuals.

In addition to the ban on permanent security squads, the provincial government has prohibited the unauthorized installation of flagstaffs or the display of official flags on government vehicles. The provincial police officer and inspector general of police have been instructed to withdraw all unauthorized escorts and ensure strict compliance with these orders.

This decision follows previous austerity measures aimed at reducing costs, such as cutting fuel allowances for government vehicles. The move addresses long-standing public criticism regarding the diversion of police resources from routine duties to VIP protocol.