Staff Report
PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, has reaffirmed that ensuring law and order and safeguarding the lives and property of the people remains the foremost priority of the provincial government. “There can be no compromise on peace because without it, development is impossible,” he stated.
Speaking at a police darbar held at Police Lines Peshawar on Wednesday, the Chief Minister highlighted key steps taken by his government to strengthen the police force. He noted that last fiscal year, the police budget was increased to Rs. 124 billion, and this year it has been further raised to Rs. 158 billion. Salaries of KP police personnel have been increased to bring them in line with those of other provinces, which the CM described as a rightful entitlement of the force.
He said that promotion processes within the police have also been expedited adding that recruitment quota for children of martyred police has been raised from 5% to 12.5%, under which 280 appointments have already been made. Significant progress has also been made on the earlier announced initiative to provide free plots to families of martyrs, with distribution set to take place this year within government housing societies.
“The provincial treasury is at the service of public and police safety,” said CM Gandapur, emphasizing that the government has made considerable efforts over the past year to meet the force’s needs, and will continue to do so. “Lack of resources will never be allowed to become a hurdle in fulfilling the police’s requirements.”
Upon arrival at Police Lines, the Chief Minister was received by the Inspector General of Police and senior police officers. A smartly turned-out contingent of police presented him with a guard of honour. He also laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument to pay tribute to fallen heroes.
The Chief Minister inspected newly acquired Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), bulletproof vehicles, weapons, and other modern equipment provided to the police. Addressing the darbar, he said, “Nations that honour their martyrs become invincible. Unless we give dignity to our martyrs and their families, our police personnel will not develop the spirit of sacrifice.”
He announced that families of martyred police personnel visiting any government office—including the Chief Minister’s Office—must be welcomed with respect, standing in their honour. “These are the families of those who laid down their lives for our protection,” he emphasized. CM Gandapur stated that he had delayed attending the police darbar until meaningful steps had been taken for police welfare. “Now that we’ve taken real measures including provision of modern arms and equipment I feel proud to stand before you,” he said. He also urged officers and personnel to uphold merit and justice:
“Do not accept any recommendations or influence in your work. As Chief Minister, I have never made a single recommendation for recruitment or posting in the police. If I don’t do it, no one else’s recommendation should be accepted either. Ensure that the weak are not denied justice, and the powerful are not spared from accountability. I will fully support the police in this regard.”
Addressing traffic police in particular, he instructed that poor taxi and rickshaw drivers committing minor violations should be given warnings instead of fines. “These individuals work hard to feed their families and cannot afford heavy fines. Instead, issue heavier penalties to the wealthy who flout traffic laws with large vehicles,” he directed.
Inspector General of Police, Zulfiqar Hameed, also addressed the darbar. The event began with a collective prayer for the elevation of ranks of the martyred police personnel.
