PESHAWAR/ ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi Monday said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will hand bulletproof vehicles back to the federal government, declaring them substandard and outdated.
The chief minister was presiding over his first formal meeting. A couple of days ago, the interior ministry had provided bullet-proof vehicles to the KP police to meet the security challenges, which they face across the province, especially in the southern districts.
Placing law and order at the top of his government’s priorities, the chief minister assured that no compromise would be made on security and pledged to provide all necessary funds and resources to the police, modernise the force, and equip them with advanced weapons and technology.
Criticising Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the chief minister said the bulletproof vehicles were an insult to the police force. He also directed that the security provided to former chief ministers be restored to ensure their protection and dignity.
He paid tribute to the martyrs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, praying for the elevation of their ranks in the heaven and patience for their families. A number of regional and district police officers as well as officers heading operations in the troubled districts of KP don’t have enough bullet-proof vehicles exposing them to worst attacks.
An official said some RPOs and DPOs were recently given bullet-proof cars, while a few others were to get them soon. However, many of the DPOs and other officers are without such vehicles despite serious threats. A few old bullet-proof cars also need to be upgraded and repaired. Such vehicles are more needed in districts where frequent attacks on police have been reported in the last many years.
Afridi blamed what he called the federal government’s flawed policies for reigniting terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “For decades, KP police have made unmatched sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Unfortunately, the flawed policies of the federal government have reignited terrorism in the province,” he said.
The chief minister reviewed progress on the provincial government’s Good Governance Roadmap, as well as law and order and anti-corruption measures. Chief secretary, inspector general of police, additional chief secretaries, relevant administrative secretaries, and senior police officials attended the meeting.
Divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, regional police officers, and district police officers participated in the meeting via video link. Officials briefed the chief minister on various aspects of the Good Governance Roadmap, explaining that its primary objective was to improve public service delivery. The chief minister was also briefed on the province’s security situation, terror incidents and contributing factors, implementation of the Provincial Action Plan, and ongoing and future measures to strengthen the police force.
The chief minister criticised the federal government for withholding war-on-terror funds and other constitutional dues, urging it to release the funds timely so the provincial government could strengthen its police force and effectively combat terrorism.
He directed that no student be booked in FIRs and no citizen be targeted for personal or political revenge. “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police must never become like the Punjab police,” he warned, adding that torture in prisons would not be tolerated.
Reiterating that there would be no political interference in police matters, he stressed that public complaints against the police must also be eliminated. Sohail Afridi announced the establishment of a Tribal Medical College and a Tribal University of Modern Sciences, with campuses across all merged districts.
He also announced the construction of playgrounds at the tehsil level in merged areas, a Safe City Project for the merged districts, and establishment of Shaheed Arshad Sharif University of Investigative and Modern Journalism.
The chief minister said on February 8, 2024, an attempt was made to undermine the public mandate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but he paid tribute to the provincial bureaucracy and police for protecting the people’s vote despite pressure.
He lauded the bureaucracy for upholding the province’s distinct traditions and values, expressing hope that they would continue to do so. However, he lamented that some officials had failed to withstand pressure and did not protect the public mandate. He directed the chief secretary to identify and take strict action against such individuals.
The chief minister reaffirmed that the PTI governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the leadership of Imran Khan and said it was the duty of the civil administration to implement the ruling party’s agenda.
Afridi declared zero tolerance for corruption, emphasizing that anyone found involved would face a strict action. He stressed that all government officials were public servants, adding that if citizens were dissatisfied with any officer, that officer would not retain their position.
“I have not come to govern in the traditional way. We must work differently so that people feel their vote for PTI has truly brought change,” he said. Afridi instructed the authorities to integrate the E-PAD system with the provincial e-tendering mechanism and develop a conceptual examination system to end cramming.
He directed that the two-year posting and transfer policy be strictly enforced, eliminating the recommendation culture and ensuring merit and transparency in all administrative matters. “I will make tough decisions to implement our party’s agenda, and these must be enforced,” he said, adding that no political figure would be arrested under Section 3 of the MPO and no political FIRs would be registered for revenge.
The chief minister stressed that the freedom of expression and constructive criticism were constitutional rights and that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s unique political culture would be protected.
APP adds: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry Monday strongly criticised the KP government’s decision to return bullet-proof vehicles, terming the move “immature” and a setback in the fight against terrorism.
Reacting to the chief minister’s decision to return the armored vehicles, he accused the provincial leadership of undermining counter-terrorism efforts and placing police personnel at heightened risk.
“The federal government has so far provided Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Rs600 billion for the war against terrorism,” Talal Chaudhry said, adding, “That money was allocated to strengthen the civil armed forces, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and forensic laboratory capabilities. Yet no clear account has been given of how that Rs600 billion was spent.”
Chaudhry said the vehicles supplied by the federal government met international standards and were procured specifically to protect law-enforcement personnel deployed on the front lines.
“These are bullet-proof vehicles built to global standards and can be effective in the fight against terrorism,” he said. “Wherever these vehicles have been used, loss of life has been negligible.”
The minister rejected the provincial government’s stated reason — alleged defects or substandard quality — for returning the vehicles. “Vehicles were provided for security, but they were returned on the pretext of quality,” he said, calling that explanation “a childish and immature position.”
He added that several federal ministers and senior officials routinely use the same make and model of vehicles while visiting terrorism-affected areas. Chaudhry also asserted that the federal government had also supplied bullet-proof jackets, binoculars and weapons to KP intended to speed up operation and protection of personnel.
“These vehicles and equipment were provided to secure our troops and accelerate the war against terrorism,” he said. The minister lambasted KP provincial leadership’s handling of federal assistance.
“This immature and underdeveloped mindset is an injustice to the public; such people should not be the province’s chief minister,” he said. “This immature thinking is increasing risks for police personnel.” Chaudhry went on to accuse the provincial government of lacking will to pursue a full eradication of terrorist networks.
“It appears the provincial government is not interested in the total neutralisation of terrorists.” He warned that KP’s police officers and rank-and-file were being “thrown before unarmed terrorists” and that the province lacked both political backing and adequate weapons and training.
The minister also alleged that KP officials had neither benefited from the Rs600 billion nor received full assistance that the federation had been providing. “KP’s officers received nothing from that Rs600 billion, and even what the federation is giving is being snatched away,” he claimed.
Despite criticism, Chaudhry emphasized that the federal government remained committed to helping Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in its counter-terrorism campaign. “The federal government is, in good faith, providing cooperation to the KP government in the war against terrorism,” he said. “However, the provincial government’s childish attitude and political obstinacy are obstructing federal efforts. The federal government will continue to support the KP police so that terrorists can be eliminated as quickly as possible.” The KP government’s office did not issue a public response to Talal Chaudhry’s remarks till the filing of news in the evening.
