PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police on the directives of the chief justice of Pakistan have so far withdrawn over 2,200 policemen deployed for protocol and security duty with unauthorized individuals including politicians and government officials.
Those withdrawn from the unauthorized VIPs included sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors, head constables, constables, special police officers and ex-servicemen.A number of senior politicians, however, have expressed concern over the move, arguing this will put the lives of many top political leaders and other individuals at risk as they have already received threats.
A number of senior politicians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country have survived terrorist attacks in recent years.After concern was expressed concerning the security of these VIPs, a senior level meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police on Monday recommended security protocols for certain individuals.
The meeting was chaired by the Inspector General of Police Salahuddin Khan Mahsud at the Central Police Office.The participants recommended different categories of security for party chiefs, senior political leaders, former top government functionaries and others. The recommendations will be forwarded to the provincial government for approval.
Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Saqib Nisar had ordered the KP inspector general of police last Thursday to withdraw all the policemen deployed with unauthorized individuals. The same order was given to the police chiefs in other provinces.
The KP police chief complied with the directives and told the court that 1,769 policemen had been withdrawn.He said that all the regional police officers had been directed to withdraw forthwith these policemen from the unauthorized individuals.
“The number of the cops closed till Monday has crossed 2,200, more than any other province. These policemen were deployed with the individuals who were not entitled to have police guards for their security or protocol,” Waqar Ahmad, Director, Public Relations of the KP Police, told The News.
The KP Police have been facing a number of challenges to maintain law and order due to the shortage of force and deployment of a large number of policemen with individuals who were not entitled to this privilege.
Still a large number of policemen are deployed unnecessarily at the residences and offices of police officers and other individuals, a source added. Most of the police officers keep more gunmen and other staff for their security than their entitlement.
KP Police officials are seen in this picture on January 10, 2024. — Facebook/Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PolicePESHAWAR: The...
A representational image shows a gavel and a weighing scale. — Pixabay/FileDERA ISMAIL KHAN: A local court on Monday...
A representational image of a gavel in a court. — Unsplash/FilePESHAWAR: A local court on Monday acquitted an...
Policemen stand guard in Peshawar. — AFP/FileNOWSHERA: A constable of the Frontier Reserve Police lost his life in...
A view of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry building. — Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry...
Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl Maulana Fazlur Rahman gestures in this image, released on November 19, 2023. —...