Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz orders an end to permanent police escorts for ministers, lawmakers and other individuals, while tightening rules on official flags and vehicle protocol.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has banned permanent police escorts for provincial ministers, lawmakers, government officials and private individuals as part of measures to regulate police deployment and prevent the unauthorised use of state resources.
Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sajid Zafar Dall issued an official notification outlining the restrictions. Under the new directives, provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, parliamentary secretaries, standing committee chairpersons and members of the Punjab Assembly will no longer be allowed to retain permanent police squads.
The restrictions also cover government officials and private individuals. The chief minister has directed the relevant authorities to ensure strict compliance, making it clear that unauthorised police escorts will not be permitted.
The notification also prohibits the installation of flagstaffs and the display of official flags on government vehicles without prior approval. The measures are intended to prevent the unauthorised use of official privileges and police personnel for personal or protocol purposes.
The decision comes amid broader provincial government efforts to control public spending and limit the use of government resources for VIP protocol.
In March, the Punjab government introduced austerity measures in response to rising fuel costs. These included suspending government-funded fuel for provincial ministers, cutting fuel allowances for government officers’ vehicles by 50% and restricting protocol convoys accompanying ministers and senior officials to a single vehicle for essential security purposes.
The latest restrictions address the deployment of police personnel for official and private protocol, an issue that has prompted concerns about the availability of officers for routine law enforcement. Critics have questioned the use of public resources for VIP security arrangements while police departments face demands to improve public safety and prevent crime.
The use of private security escorts has also drawn attention in Punjab in recent years, particularly over armed guards, unauthorised patrols and convoys used to demonstrate influence.
Authorities have previously announced action against private security companies operating vehicles and wearing uniforms resembling those of the police. The measures followed a violent road dispute in Lahore involving armed guards escorting foreign visitors.
The new directives place restrictions on permanent police squads and the unauthorised display of official flags on government vehicles. Their implementation will depend on compliance by the relevant officials and individuals and enforcement by the provincial authorities.
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