Officials fear proposed law could increase political control over police postings and operations
A photo of KP Police personnel. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
Police officials have expressed serious reservations over the proposed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police Bill 2026, fearing that the new legislation could increase political interference in police affairs and undermine the operational and administrative autonomy of the force.
According to official sources, senior police officials conveyed their concerns during a meeting of the committee examining the proposed legislation. The officials reportedly warned that several provisions of the proposed law could result in greater political influence over police postings, transfers, policy-making and operational matters.
Sources said the basic objective of the K-P Police Act 2017 was to empower the police force and reduce political interference in its affairs. However, they said the proposed 2026 legislation could reverse some of the safeguards introduced under the existing law and affect the independence of the police command.
Under the proposed legislation, the administrative, financial and operational powers currently vested in the Inspector General of Police (IGP) are proposed to be transferred to the chief minister. Sources said the move could significantly curtail the authority of the provincial police chief and affect the chain of command within the force.
The proposed law also seeks to give the chief minister powers over the appointment and transfer of police officers from grades 17 to 21. The proposed powers would cover key positions, including deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), district police officers (DPOs), deputy inspectors general (DIGs), regional police officers (RPOs) and additional inspectors general (Addl IGs).
Sources said another major proposed change relates to the Police Policy Board. Under the draft law, the chief minister would head the board instead of the IGP. A provision requiring prior approval from the chief minister for police operations has also reportedly been included in the proposed legislation.
Police officials have expressed concern that transferring key powers from the IGP to the political leadership could affect professional decision-making within the force as well as its ability to respond independently to law-and-order challenges.
Sources also pointed out that the Peshawar High Court had previously struck down amendments involving the withdrawal of powers from the IGP, although the precise legal status and applicability of those earlier rulings to the proposed legislation would depend on the final text of the law.
The draft also proposes changes to the procedure for appointing the provincial police chief. Under the proposed mechanism, the federal government would send a list of police officers’ names to the chief minister, who would select and approve one officer for appointment as IGP.
