PESHAWAR: The federal and provincial governments are yet to positively respond to the two demands of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police to declare the province hard area and release special militancy allowance for the cops.
Many districts of the province are facing the worst law and order in recent years. Some districts in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan divisions and other parts of KP are facing frequent attacks on police and security forces. The armed groups on different roads in some districts were also seen in many videos recently. Such groups were recently seen in Khyber district near the boundary with the provincial capital, setting alarm bells ringing.
In southern districts, many cops have been martyred in target killing, ambushes, IED blasts and attacks on their houses, offices and stations since 2021. The same happened in these districts as well as many other parts of KP from 2006 till 2014.
The cops in these districts are short of facilities and incentives despite them fighting the war. A number of facilities including bulletproof cars, jackets, protected buildings, jammers, night vision goggles and weapons have been given to police in many districts in the last few years. However, the force, especially those fighting on ground, still need more facilities.
They need incentives for performing duties in stations that are more volatile and face frequent attacks. Senior police officials on a number of occasions took up the issue with the federal and provincial governments, demanding hard area status for KP.
They argued the situation in KP is worse than Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan that have been declared hard areas. The Central Police Office wrote to the government about the issue several times but the government is yet to respond positively. The demand has been made for over a decade but it was never responded positively. The KP Police sent another proposal demanding hard area-like status for at least Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan divisions and some other troubled districts after no government paid any heed to the previous requests. The force asked that this status should be given to at least the districts that are worst hit by terrorism.
“We have sent a proposal to give special status to at least those districts where police are facing tougher challenges,” said a senior official. However, nothing practical has been done so far. Faced with the toughest challenge of terrorism for over two decades, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police asked the government to approve funds for special militancy allowance to the policemen of the province.
The letter was written to the government three months back, asking for incentives for those policemen, especially constables and junior officers who are bravely facing suicide attacks, blasts, ambushes, rocket and drone attacks.
The police force asked for approval of Rs4,243 million monthly for special militancy allowance to all the ranks and cadres of the force. “In view of the severe militancy and security challenges faced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial government has placed the enhancement of police capacity and their welfare among its top priorities,” said a letter by the deputy inspector general (DIG) Finance KP to the government in December.
The letter added that due to the government’s focused efforts and effective administrative measures, not only has the law and order situation improved, but the government’s overall public image has also strengthened.
“In this context, special financial incentives such as the militancy allowance are being provided to police personnel, keeping in view the grave risks, operational responsibilities, and constant exposure to threats,” stated the letter by the Central Police Office.
It continued that these measures are intended to boost the morale of the force and enable them to discharge their duties with greater confidence.“Due to their role on the front lines, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have continuously confronted terrorists and insurgents, often at great personal risk. The KP Police have made countless sacrifices, including the loss of precious lives and serious injuries,” the letter stated.
The document highlighted that the duties in the province remain extremely hazardous, involving threats such as bomb blasts, targeted attacks, and other violent activities carried out by extremist elements.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police is currently performing its duties without any additional financial incentives despite the challenging security environment and the operational nature of their assignments. In view of the continuous high-risk duties performed by all cadres of the KP Police, it is proposed that a Special Allowance equivalent to one running basic salary may be granted to all ranks across the force,” it recommended.
The provision of the allowance will not only recognize the extraordinary services and sacrifices of KP Police but will also significantly enhance their morale, efficiency, and motivation in carrying out critical security operations throughout the province, it said.
“Approval is therefore requested for the grant of Special Allowance at one running basic pay to all cadres of KP Police with immediate effect with a total financial implication Rs4,243.336 million monthly,” stated the letter, asking the chief minister to approve the funds.
The KP Police has faced a far bigger challenge in terms of terrorism for the last over two decades. But different federal and provincial governments hardly paid any heed to some of the genuine demands of the force, including the hard area status, protected vehicles and special incentives for the cops for more effectively going after the terrorists and criminals.
