KP CM pledges enhanced support for police martyrs’ families

PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Wednesday announced an additional honorary grant of Rs50,000 for the family of each police martyr and directed the authorities concerned to expedite the allotment of residential plots to bereaved families, while reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening the police force amid renewed security challenges.
Addressing a ceremony held to commemorate Police Martyrs’ Day, the chief minister paid tribute to the sacrifices of police personnel, saying the peace and security enjoyed by the province were the result of the supreme sacrifices rendered by martyrs.
He said the nation owed a debt of gratitude to police martyrs, ghazis and their families for their courage and resilience, adding that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police had written an extraordinary chapter in the fight against terrorism through unmatched bravery and steadfastness.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to strengthen law enforcement institutions, Mr Afridi said around Rs35 billion had been allocated during the previous fiscal year to enhance the operational capacity of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and the Special Branch. He added that the police budget for the current fiscal year had been increased to more than Rs180 billion.
The chief minister said sustainable development and economic prosperity could not be achieved without lasting peace, describing the restoration of peace as the provincial government’s foremost priority. He stressed that defeating terrorism required a collective national effort in which both the police and the public played a vital role.
Referring to the security situation, Mr Afridi said the period following the formation of Imran Khan’s government in 2018 was the only time the province had experienced sustained peace. He attributed that period of stability to two decades of sacrifices by police personnel, security forces and civilians, and said policies that undermined those hard-earned gains were bound to face criticism.
He said criticism of decisions taken “behind closed doors” was justified because KP had borne the brunt of terrorism and its people continued to suffer the human and social consequences of renewed violence.
The chief minister maintained that the province had once again become the principal victim of state decisions that had contributed to the resurgence of terrorism. He argued that if a 22-year policy had failed to produce the desired results, it should be fundamentally reviewed.
Mr Afridi said lasting peace could not be secured through the use of force alone but required wisdom, prudence and well-considered policymaking. He claimed that if Imran Khan’s peace policy were implemented, peace could be restored across the province within 100 days.
He also warned that if political differences, personal egos and prejudice prevented stakeholders from working together, the consequences would have to be borne collectively.
Reaffirming the provincial government’s support for the police, the chief minister said his government stood firmly behind the force and would continue to provide every possible assistance. He added that, in line with Imran Khan’s vision, the KP Police had been kept apolitical to enable it to function as a professional institution dedicated to serving the public.