KP Assembly passes changes to police law: KP Public Safety Commission to have MNA in place of judge

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday passed the KP Police (Amendment) Bill 2024, which granted powers to chief minister over the appointment and transfer of senior police officers in the province.

Under the new bill, the chief minister will have authority over the appointment and transfer of police officers at grade 18 and above, while grade 17 and 18 officers will be managed by the inspector general of police.

The bill mandated that the chief minister’s directives related to law and order must be implemented. Two members of the Public Safety Commission will be designated as observers during the procurement of police equipment, ensuring transparency.

The provincial assembly also approved another bill about the regularization of employees in the Transport Department and introduced five additional bills related to various government departments.

Initially presented on Wednesday, the Police Amendment Bill faced opposition from senior police officials. Following their concerns, Law Minister Aftab Alam moved a motion to withdraw the previous bill, which was approved by the House.

Provincial Minister Akbar Ayub introduced the revised version. Key provisions of the bill included the establishment of an Independent Police Complaint Authority, empowered to take disciplinary action against police officers. The authority will consist of six members, with its central office in Peshawar and regional offices across different divisions of the province.

The bill also removed sections 21, 24, and 37 from the Police Act of 2017. Changes were made to the Public Safety Commission, with an additional sessions judge being replaced by a Member National Assembly (MNA).

The Provincial Public Safety Commission will consist of seven Members Provincial Assembly (MPAs) appointed by the speaker. Out of these, four will be from the ruling party and three from the opposition.

The commission will include seven independent members, one of whom will represent minorities. The new legislation introduced a Public Safety Committee to address complaints against the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), and the commission members will serve a four-year term.

A complaint authority will be set up at the divisional level to address public grievances related to the police. Meanwhile, Law Minister Aftab Alam introduced the KP Employees of Transport Services Regularization Repeal Bill, while Minister of Livestock Fazal Hakeem tabled the KP Animal Diseases Control Bill and the KP Animal Feed and Compound Feed Bill.

Minister for Tourism Chan Zeb Khan presented the KP Government Rest Houses and Tourism Properties (Development, Management, and Regulation) Amendment Bill, aimed at improving the management of government rest houses and transferring them to the private sector. Also, Minister for Local Government Arshad Ayub introduced the KP Land Use and Building Control Amendment Bill and the KP District Development Advisory Committee Bill.