The Punjab Police and National Highways & Motorway Police (NH&MP) have formalized a comprehensive security cooperation agreement, enabling Punjab Police officers to patrol the country’s motorways alongside NH&MP personnel. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at the Central Police Office on Thursday by Punjab IGP Dr. Usman Anwar and NH&MP Additional IG Saad Akhtar Bharwana. The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including DIG (R&D) Fawaduddin Qureshi, Motorways Central Zone DIG Imran Shahid, and AIG (Admin & Security) Dr. Asad Ijaz Malhi.
According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, joint safety operations and a dedicated hotline between the two forces have already been activated. The coordinated patrols began late Thursday night with joint checks of public service vehicles at designated motorway points, during which detailed data on drivers, conductors, and helpers are being collected. Staff members found to be unverified will be barred from entering motorway routes, enhancing overall safety and accountability.
IGP Dr. Usman Anwar stated that real-time intelligence sharing is now fully operational to prevent terrorism, smuggling, and the movement of stolen vehicles. Both forces will work together to strengthen security through coordinated monitoring, data exchange, and deployment of modern technologies. Immediate alerts will be issued for suspicious individuals traveling on national highways, and a joint traffic management plan will be implemented during foggy conditions, peak holiday seasons, and other high-traffic periods.
In addition, the MoU outlines a framework for joint rescue and relief operations during natural disasters or major accidents, ensuring a unified response system. This cooperation aims to significantly enhance motorway security, improve emergency response capabilities, and provide safer travel for commuters across Punjab and the national motorway network.
