ISLAMABAD: The manpower of the Islamabad Capital Police is set to increase by 69 per cent after the government created more than 8,000 new posts to address staff shortages and strengthen its various divisions.

Police officials told Dawn that 8,046 personnel would be recruited in separate phases. The first phase of the recruitment process is already under way.

For the first time in the history of the Islamabad Capital Police, recruitment will be carried out on a cadre-wise basis.

The capital police currently have a sanctioned strength of 11,654 officers and officials, of whom 9,754 are in service.

Cadre-wise hiring to raise force strength by 69pc, with specialised recruitment for key operational units

The Operations, Logistics and Security divisions have sanctioned strengths of 2,783, 794 and 5,199 personnel, respectively. At present, they have 3,206, 1,414 and 2,906 personnel.

Similarly, the Safe City Islamabad Authority and the Law and Order Division have sanctioned strengths of 892 and 1,986 personnel, respectively, while their current strengths stand at 948 and 1,280.

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), operating under the Law and Order Division, has a sanctioned strength of 931 personnel but currently has only 341. The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP), operating under the Safe City Islamabad Authority, has a sanctioned strength of 685 personnel and currently has 591.

The Special Protection Unit (SPU), established to provide security to Chinese nationals and other foreigners working on national projects and operating under the Security Division, currently has a strength of 236 personnel. The Capital Patrol (formerly the Dolphin Squad), operating under the Operations Division, has 561 personnel.

The first phase of recruitment is under way, involving the induction of 1,725 constables and assistant sub-inspectors for the Operations, Logistics and Security divisions.

In the next four phases, personnel will be recruited for the Capital Patrol, Law and Order Division, CTD, SPU and ITP. About 2,367, 1,624, 790 and 775 personnel will be recruited for the SPU, Law and Order Division, Capital Patrol and CTD, respectively.

The SPU recruitment will include 12 inspectors, 15 sub-inspectors, 50 assistant sub-inspectors and 100 head constables. Similarly, the Law and Order Division will recruit 12 inspectors, 35 sub-inspectors, 50 assistant sub-inspectors and 80 head constables.

The remaining posts will be filled in the Islamabad Traffic Police.

Inspectors, sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors, head constables and constables will be recruited for the respective wings and units.

Officials said future recruitment would continue on a cadre-wise basis, and personnel would remain in their assigned cadres until retirement or until reaching the prescribed age limit.

The decision was taken to ensure that each division and wing has a specialised workforce that cannot be transferred to other divisions or wings.

An age limit has also been fixed for personnel performing field duties in the CTD, Law and Order Division and Capital Patrol, as these units require young, energetic and active personnel. After reaching the prescribed age limit, they will be assigned to other duties within the police.

When contacted, the police spokesman confirmed that, following government approval, recruitment had begun in separate phases.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2026