CM urges KP police to stay out of politics, focus on terrorism
Afridi questions delay in supply of police security equipment
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has directed the provincial police to remain focused on maintaining law and order and combating terrorism, saying the force should not be used in political disputes.
Addressing a meeting on the law and order situation, the chief minister said KP police and citizens had been fighting terrorism for 22 years and had made significant sacrifices, according to an official statement.
He said the provincial government had increased the police budget from Rs80 billion to Rs190 billion and provided an additional Rs35bn during the previous year, besides enhancing compensation for families of police martyrs and allocating funds for modern equipment.
The statement said that the chief executive of the provine expressed concern over delays in the supply of armoured vehicles, jammers and drone-defence systems despite payments having been made to the relevant institutions. He urged them to provide the equipment to the KP Police at the earliest.
The chief minister said police officers should refuse to obey unlawful orders, including those that could divert them from their professional duties. He maintained that the police must protect citizens, maintain law and order and fight terrorism without becoming involved in political confrontation.
He also said the provincial government’s political activities would remain peaceful and referred to the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
The chief minister said the provincial cabinet had approved the KP Police Act 2026 and that further amendments could be considered when the legislation was placed before the provincial assembly.
