KP faces PSP officers’ shortage amid security concerns

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police is facing a severe shortage of officers when the province is witnessing a surge in terrorism and a deteriorating law and order situation.

KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) has written a letter to the provincial government, requesting it to raise the issue of the shortage of 87 officers in BPS-18 and BPS-19 with the federal government.

The letter, sent on Wednesday to the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, highlights that KP currently has 48 vacant posts in BPS-18 and 39 vacant posts in BPS-19. The KP Police have 131 sanctioned posts in BPS-18, but presently only 83 officers are available. This includes 21 PSP officers and 42 encadered officers, resulting in an overall shortfall of 48 officers.

Similarly, there are 57 sanctioned posts in BPS-19, but only 18 officers are currently serving, including 11 PSP officers and 7 encadered officers, leaving 39 posts vacant.

The recent shortfall in officers is attributed to the transfer of senior officers to Punjab and other federal positions. According to the letter, a senior police officer, Kashif Zulfiqar, was transferred to Punjab on January 6, 2025, and another officer, Muhammad Umer, is expected to be transferred to Punjab soon.

The letter further requests the provincial government to engage with the federal government to ensure the immediate deployment of PSP officers, preferably those with KP domicile, to fill the vacancies and strengthen the police force.

Sources within the police department have expressed concerns that the shortage of senior officers is hampering the operational capacity of the force. A police official stated, “Given the current security challenges, we need officers with experience in counterterrorism and criminal investigations. The shortage is making it difficult to respond effectively to threats.”

Former IGP Akhtar Ali Shah told this correspondent that the province urgently needs capable and experienced PSP officers to manage security operations effectively. He warned that the shortage of officers is making it increasingly difficult for the police force to deal with the growing threats posed by terrorism and organised crime.

He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has historically been on the front lines in the fight against militancy, is once again witnessing a resurgence in terrorist activities. In recent days, attacks on security forces, police stations, and civilians have raised concerns.

Experts believe that addressing the shortfall of PSP officers is critical to improving the law and order situation in KP. “The security challenges in KP are unique and require experienced leadership at the district and regional levels. Without senior officers in place, the police force will struggle to maintain peace,” said a security analyst.