PESHAWAR: The law and order situation remains unchanged despite the absence of political interference in police affairs after the inspector general of police (IGP) regained powers of postings across all ranks from the chief minister over two months ago.
The police chief now has full authority to transfer and post officers at all levels without seeking approval from the chief minister.
The IGP can independently post any regional police officer, district police officer, or head of any wing wherever needed to improve the deteriorating law and order situation.
The situation has worsened in many parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since mid-2021. Incidents of terrorism have increased in most southern districts, as well as in Khyber, Bajaur, and several other areas in recent months.
Attacks on police and security forces are occurring almost daily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the southern belt.
Police stations, posts, patrolling vehicles, and personnel have come under attack in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan divisions, as well as in some other districts of the erstwhile Fata.
Drones are now being used in several areas to target police, security forces, and civilians with explosives. Meanwhile, armed groups have released videos in recent months claiming their presence in Peshawar, Khyber, and other towns, raising alarm for the government and law enforcement agencies.
According to senior police officials, operations by police and other forces are underway to improve the law and order situation across the province.
Officials said that 283 terrorists, including a female suicide bomber and three top commanders, were arrested during operations in the first quarter of the current year.
They added that 108 terrorists were killed in operations conducted by the police and the Counter Terrorism Department during the same period.
During these operations, 1,727 kilograms of explosives, 55 hand grenades, one suicide jacket, 24 SMGs, 21 pistols, and 1,021 rounds of ammunition were recovered. Police also seized a cache of drugs and arrested many proclaimed offenders.
However, despite these efforts, attacks on police, security forces, and civilians have continued.
Official statistics show that police were attacked 194 times across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the first quarter of the year, of which 106 attempts were foiled.
In these attacks, 59 police personnel were martyred and 88 wounded during the three-month period. More personnel were martyred, injured, and kidnapped in April. Since 2023, over 570 policemen have been martyred in KP.
“Police is now completely free of political interference, as the IGP can post any regional police officer, district police officer, or head of any wing or unit without seeking approval from the chief minister or any cabinet member. Now the force must take effective measures to improve law and order across the province, especially in the deteriorating southern districts,” said a government functionary who requested anonymity.
The powers of the police chief were curtailed in late 2024, when he was restricted from posting officers above Grade 18. The government amended the KP Police Act, empowering the chief minister instead of the IGP to make postings in Grade 18 and above.
However, following a verdict by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) in early February, the IGP regained the authority to post officers in senior grades without requiring the chief minister’s approval.
The PHC struck down the amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act, restoring the IGP’s powers to transfer and post officers of all grades, including Grade 18 and above.
