Key points

  • Punjab Constabulary members assigned to special duty will receive a daily allowance of Rs 1,000.
  • The payment is intended for personnel deployed to contain the current wave of protests across the province.
  • The government says the allowance recognises the added duties, longer hours and heightened risk faced by the constabulary.
  • Officials hope the financial support will boost morale and aid in maintaining public order during the unrest.

The provincial administration announced on Friday that every constabulary officer on special duty will be granted a Rs 1,000 per‑day stipend until the protest situation stabilises. The decision was communicated through a press release from the Punjab Home Department, which cited the “extra responsibilities and challenges” that police units encounter while securing crowded rally sites, protecting critical infrastructure and managing crowd control operations.

The allowance comes as protests, sparked by recent economic grievances and political demands, have intensified in major cities such as Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan. Police forces, including the Punjab Constabulary, have been repeatedly deployed for extended shifts, often working in volatile environments where confrontations with demonstrators are frequent. By offering a dedicated daily allowance, the government aims to acknowledge the physical and psychological strain on officers and to provide modest financial relief to their families, many of whom depend on a single income.

Analysts note that while Rs 1,000 per day is modest compared with the overall budgetary outlay for law‑enforcement, it represents a tangible step toward improving staff welfare during periods of civil unrest. The move may also serve a strategic purpose: better‑compensated officers are less likely to experience fatigue‑related lapses, which can de‑escalate volatile situations and reduce the likelihood of injuries on both sides.

Stakeholders, including police unions and civil‑society groups, have welcomed the measure but urge the provincial government to pair financial incentives with broader reforms—such as improved protective equipment, mental‑health support and transparent grievance mechanisms—to ensure the constabulary can operate effectively and safely amid ongoing protests.