LAHORE: The Punjab government has ordered the implementation of comprehensive security measures for dignitaries from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) visiting southern Punjab for the forthcoming 2025-26 hunting season, following a formal request from the UAE Embassy in Islamabad.
Senior official sources told The News the directives were conveyed through a chain of official correspondence between the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, the Chief Minister’s Office, and the Central Police Office (CPO) Lahore, underscoring the importance of coordinated field security and inter-agency liaison during the dignitaries’ movement and stay in the province.
Mohammed Sultan Rashid Al Kaitob, Charge’ d’ Affaires of the UAE Embassy, expressed gratitude for the facilitation extended by the Government of Punjab during the previous hunting season and sought continuation of similar assistance for the forthcoming visits. The Embassy requested that security directives be re-issued to relevant authorities and that police and home-department coordinators be nominated to ensure the safety of foreign guests in districts where Houbara Bustard habitats are located. The mission urged provincial authorities to maintain close liaison with these representatives and to share copies of relevant directives directly with the embassy for record and timely action.
Acting upon the diplomatic communication, the Chief Minister’s Office has directed the Inspector General of Police to nominate a senior police officer of SSP or SP rank as a police coordinator to supervise on-ground arrangements in the Houbara Habitat districts. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sajid Zafar Dall conveyed that the nominated officer must remain present in the field before and during the hunting expeditions and coordinate with all concerned law-enforcement and security agencies. The Chief Minister also instructed the immediate formation of a WhatsApp liaison group for real-time coordination between provincial officials and the embassy’s representatives. The Protocol Officer at the UAE Ambassador’s Office, was designated as the principal contact for communication in this regard.
Subsequently, the Central Police Office has nominated Shahid Nazir, SP (Investigation) Rahim Yar Khan, as the focal person to oversee the security arrangements and ensure strict compliance with the directives issued by the provincial government. The communication, signed by the AIG (Operations) on behalf of the Provincial Police Officer, instructed the Special Branch, the Regional Police Officer Bahawalpur, and the District Police Officer Rahim Yar Khan to ensure foolproof security during the visit, stay, and movement of the UAE dignitaries in accordance with the prescribed law and policy.
The step reflects the Punjab government’s continuing commitment to maintaining robust diplomatic and operational coordination with friendly nations. Officials said the exercise not only aims to facilitate the visiting dignitaries but also demonstrates Pakistan’s adherence to international protocols governing the safety and hospitality of foreign guests.
Senior police and administrative officers in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan have been placed on high alert to implement the security plan, while the nominated liaison officers from both sides are expected to remain in close contact throughout the season to ensure that the arrangements proceed smoothly.