Punjab Highway Patrol

PUNJAB HIGHWAY PATROL

The foundations of PHP lay down by Mr. Chaudary Parvaiz Elahi former Chief Minister of Punjab. For the recruitment in the said department an advertisement was published in the daily news papers of whole Punjab. Well educated young of this province having age not more than 25 and Qualification equal to F.A were eligible for these posts. The recruitment was made well on merit in the Month of May 2004. In DG khan Region the recruitment was made on 21–24 May 2004 for the first phase. These young bloods were got trained from different Police Training Centers i.e. Chung, Farooq Abad, Elite and Multan Centers. They have been trained well physically as well as morally. The main aim to make this force is to safe highways and to change the image of police in people which is becoming monster. PHP Posts were constructed on highways of Province of Punjab. These posts got operationalized on May,2005. Well qualified and trained officials have been posted. PHP DG Khan Region is consisted of 04 Districts which are as under. 1. DG Khan District. 2. M Garh District 3. Rajanpur District. 4. Layyah District. In our Region i.e. PHP DG khan Region 46 Posts were constructed out of which 29 posts are working to date. The officials posted at these posts have made their good impression in the people of their respective posts area. According to the locals, “It was so good if PHP Posts were constructed earlier”. People are now satisfied from Police because of high Moral attitudes of PHP Personnel. PHP officials are working and performing their duties with full spirit. Due to their patrolling on highway a healthy decrease in Highway Crimes, robberies, dacoity has been observed. A free Helpline 1124 was made by PHP. In this regard Punjab Highway patrol has launched advertising campaign of Helpline 1124 by erecting sign boards on highways in the jurisdiction of PHP. A ceremony was held in the committee room of CPO chaired by Addl: IGP/PHP and DIG/PHP in which different advertising companies and media took part. A decision was taken about the advertising of 1124, so Eagle Eye was given responsibility to erect sign boards about 1124 with the sponsorship of multinational companies. PHP successfully white washed the bad image of district Police from the mind of the locals. A German tourist has lost her violet which carries her visa, money and some other personal documents. PHP not only returned her lost things also take appreciation from the foreigner who have normally bad image about Pakistan police. Muhammad Yousaf Punjab Highway Patrol DG Khan Region

Introduction

The Chief Minister of the Punjab (Pakistan) announced the establishment of Patrolling Posts on the highways throughout the province on 8 January 2003. The object was to provide security to the people traveling on the highways and improve thana (Police Station) culture. 450 Patrolling Post would be established in two phases.

By 31 March 2005 more than 190 posts have become operational and others will soon be commissioned. More than 11,500 constables have been recruited and trained in two years. They receive a special pay package which is almost twice that of the regular police. The Punjab Highway Patrol is headed by an officer of the rank of an Additional Inspector-General of Police.

Objectives

Control crime on highways with a system of foot and mobile patrol within an area extending to 220 feet on either side of the designated highways Apprehend criminals and hand them over to the local police Preserve the crime scene and inform the local police after commission of an offence Take measures to control traffic accidents In case of accident, provide first aid to the injured and transport the seriously injured to hospital Serve as reporting centres and provide emergency help in the form of guidance and road-side assistance Keep the highways clear of encroachments in coordination with the competent authority Conduct effective nakabandi (picketing on roads/highways) to stop a suspect vehicle following a crime or an accident Check over-speeding and use of pressure horns in public service vehicles Ensure round the clock presence of uniformed, well trained, well educated, alert and vigilant force

Dinstinctive Uniform

In order to distinguish Punjab Highway Patrol from general police a special uniform has been designed.

Fame

When it was first publicized, it got its fame due to the salary package and their distinctive role. Soon they were known as "10-hazari pulice" due to their initial salary package. Also "one-day off" concept in Punjab Police was introduced which is still effective(Jan 2011).

Training

In addition to regular police training, the personnel of the Punjab Highway Patrol have been given instruction in the following areas: Character building Principles of patrolling Preservation of the scene of crime Stop, search and arrest First aid Public dealing / Community policing Safety and cleanliness. Their basic training Center is Chohung Training Center, Lahore. The Patrolmen have also been given 1-month Elite Police Training, to deal with the criminals in comparatively better way than the conventional police Officers in Thanas.

Road Safety, Law Enforcement

Recently, in many districts, some of the Patrolling Posts have also been given the responsibility of imposing fines on traffic violations.