Federal govt voices strong reservations over proposed KP Police Act 2026

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Thursday expressed strong reservations over the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act 2026, questioning provisions that they said could undermine the police command and control structure in the province.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Talal Chaudhry said the federal government had serious concerns over the proposed legislation, stressing that provincial powers under the Constitution were subject to legal and constitutional limits.

“Provinces are not completely autonomous in every matter. The 18th Amendment grants provinces specific powers, while policing is also a constitutional subject,” he said.

The minister said a province could not create institutions or structures that fell within the constitutional domain of the federation.

Chaudhry said the KP Police was fighting terrorism and suffering casualties, and its command structure could not be weakened at a time when the province faced serious security challenges.

He stated that the proposed legislation did not merely curtail the powers of the Inspector General of Police but would affect the entire command and control structure of the force.

He said even appointment powers currently exercised by senior police officers had been curtailed under the proposed framework, with greater authority being placed in the hands of the chief minister.

“From the appointment of a DSP to that of the IG, every authority has been kept in the chief minister’s hands,” he said.

The minister questioned how the police could effectively fight terrorism if its command and control system was weakened.

“Will the police serve according to the likes and dislikes of a political party?” he asked, questioning whether discipline could be maintained under the proposed system.

Chaudhry said the proposed law could adversely affect police morale and have “a very negative impact” on law and order in the province.

He maintained that clear rules governing police services already existed in Pakistan and accused the KP government of attempting to undermine the provincial police through legislation that could conflict with constitutional provisions.

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“Can the police be forced to take political decisions after such measures?” he questioned.

Talal Chaudhry also criticised the KP government over inadequate resources for the police force.

He said the provincial government had the authority to allocate budgets and provide resources but had failed to adequately equip the police.

According to the minister, KP police officers and personnel received lower salaries and allowances than their counterparts in other provinces.

He also stated that the province lacked adequate bulletproof vehicles, protective jackets, Safe City infrastructure and forensic laboratory facilities.

“The province has been fighting terrorism for 20 years, yet its CTD building is rented,” he said.

He questioned who would provide the police with modern weapons, bulletproof jackets and other equipment if the provincial government was not doing so.

The minister further alleged that the proposed legislation would allow the provincial government to exercise greater control over the police by appointing members of committees and extending their influence to the district level.

Chaudhry vowed that the federal government would not allow legislation that weakened the federation or the police force.

The minister said the federal government would examine the proposed legislation from constitutional and legal perspectives and would not accept controversial legislation.

The KP Cabinet on Wednesday approved the revised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act 2026 after incorporating amendments to address reservations raised by cabinet members over various provisions of the proposed legislation.

The approval was granted at the 59th cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi.

Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan said the sub-committee had prepared its recommendations in consultation with police authorities.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, the chief secretary, administrative secretaries and the Inspector General of Police KP.

The approved draft will now be presented before the provincial assembly during its upcoming session for further legislative proceedings.

Shafi Jan described the proposed law as an important step towards introducing reforms in the police system and said it would make the force more accountable to the public.

According to the draft, the police chief’s operational, administrative and financial decisions would be linked to approval from the provincial government or chief minister for implementation.

The chief minister would chair the proposed Police Policy Board, while the Inspector General of Police would lead the Police Operations Board.

The proposed law provides for the appointment of Regional Investigation Officers across the province.

The draft states that the administration of police in the province would vest in the provincial police officer, who would exercise operational, financial and administrative powers subject to policies issued by the Police Policy Board and directions of the government or chief minister.

It also proposes that the provincial government could initiate proceedings for the premature transfer of the provincial police officer on grounds of unsatisfactory performance.

Under the draft, if the government is dissatisfied with the performance of the provincial police officer, it may approach the federal government for his repatriation and request a panel of three senior police officers, not below the rank of BPS-21, for appointment as the provincial police chief.

The government would select the provincial police officer from the panel. If it did not agree with the proposed names, it could return the panel and request another list.