Change of command: Move may delay extending policing to merged districts

PESHAWAR: The change of command of the provincial police force may delay extending policing to the tribal districts, a source told The News. A summary for setting up 25 police stations in the merged district was moved by the provincial police force and the Home Department. Some the police stations were planned to start functioning during the current month after approval from the government. Two police stations were proposed for Bajaur, one in Khar and another in Nawagai subdivision of the tribal district. Besides, three police stations were to be set up in Mohmand, one each in Lower and Upper Mohmand and another in Baizai subdivision. The summary had suggested one each police station in Bara, Landikotal and Jamrud subdivisions in Khyber tribal district.

Lower and Upper Orakzai subdivisions were also proposed to have one police station each. The Kurram district was supposed to get three police stations. Mir Ali, Miranshah and Razmak sub-divisions in North Waziristan were to get one police station each. In South Waziristan, one police station was proposed for Ladha, Sarwakai and Wana.

Separately, at least one police station in all the former Frontier Regions, Hassankhel, Darra Adamkhel, Wazir, Bhittani, Darazinda and Jandola were expected to start working soon. The names of officers were being considered for posting in the tribal districts when the entire process took a new turn due to the sudden change of the command of the provincial police force.“Now it remains to be seen whether the new police chief Dr Mohammad Naeem Khan continues with the same stance on policing in [erstwhile] Fata or the process could delay and something new is planned after consulting bureaucracy and other government functionaries,” said the source, adding the stance of the new police administration on the Levies Act will also be important.

Mohammad Naeem Khan, a senior grade-22 officer of the Police Service of Pakistan from the Charsadda district, replaced Salahuddin Mahsud as IGP KP on February 9. Naeem Khan was serving as IGP Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He was replaced by Mahsud, who was reportedly transferred for his stance on policing in Fata and opposing hybrid system for police in the merged district.

Police officers currently posted all over the province against important positions are uncertain as to whether the new police chief will bring in his own team or will continue with the same one to maintain law and order in the province as well as move the force into the erstwhile Fata. After taking over the office in the central police office, the IGP changed his personal staff and some senior officers. More changes are expected.