Surge in attacks: KP govt releases Rs5.5bn to strengthen police force

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved immediate release of Rs5.5 billion for strengthening police stations and posts and providing bulletproof vehicles and thermal imaging devices to the force amid growing attacks on police across the province.

The approval came at a meeting that also decided in principle to bring the salaries of KP Police on a par with other provinces.

Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur chaired the meeting, which was attended by Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, Additional Chief Secretary Home, senior officials of Finance Department and Police.

The meeting approved special funds for the force to meet the growing challenges in the wake of a surge in attacks.A number of police posts and police stations are without boundary walls while others have small unprotected buildings that are vulnerable to attacks.

Besides this, the force lacks armoured personnel carriers and bulletproof vehicles for movement as well as latest technology including thermal imaging guns and devices to detect the movement of terrorists during the night.The meeting decided to release Rs3 billion for purchase of bulletproof vehicles and technology for protection of the cops, especially in troubled areas.

Also, Rs720 million were released for night vision goggles, snipers and other equipment for the police to counter attacks by the terrorists with thermal imaging guns.The meeting decided to form special weapon and technique teams equipped with modern equipment at each district. The government approved Rs1.3 billion for securing police stations and posts.

The meeting decided to provide Rs500 million for the remaining projects of construction of police stations and check posts under the ADP.It was decided to bring the salaries of police officers equal to the salaries of Balochistan and Punjab police.

The salaries of police officers in Balochistan and Punjab are higher than their counterparts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Speaking at the meeting, the chief minister said that maintaining law and order was the top priority of the provincial government.

He added that in view of the current law and order, there was an urgent need to strengthen the police in all aspects.

The chief minister said the government had been spending considerable resources to strengthen the police and added that funds would be provided on priority basis to meet the requirements of the force.Gandapur said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police force was fighting terrorism bravely and they were proud of the performance and the sacrifices of the policemen.