GILGIT: More than 170 personnel of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) of Gilgit-Baltistan police were served show-cause notices for participating in a sit-in protest against delays in the implementation of a government-announced increase in daily allowances.
The Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGP) issued the notices despite prior government assurances that no punitive action would be taken against protesting officers.
The SPU officers, deployed for security at the Diamer-Basha Dam in Diamer, joined hundreds of their colleagues in an eight-day protest outside the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister’s Secretariat earlier this month.
The protest ended on August 18 following negotiations led by Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly member Advocate Amjad Hussain, who promised an increase in allowances, no punishment for protesters, and reinstatement of suspended personnel.
However, within a week, affected officers received noticed alleging misconduct including desertion of duty, participating in protests in police uniform, instigating others via social media, blocking public roads, and taking oaths against government policies.
The notices cited Police Rules 1934 and Punjab Police Efficiency and Discipline Rules 1975, warning those found guilty face disciplinary action.
Earlier, 36 police officers were suspended for involvement in the protests, including 26 reserve police from Gilgit whose salaries were also stopped.
Nine constables in Hunza and one in Baltistan were similarly suspended.
The protests stem from delayed payments of approved allowances aimed at matching bandits given to Islamabad police.
Protestors demanded parity in daily rations and inclusion in display reduction allowances.
The Gilgit-Baltistan government called for discipline, while protesters accused authorities of reneging on promises.
