Merged tribal districts may get police chiefs in few days

PESHAWAR: The recently merged districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to get district police officers (DPOs) within a few days as the provincial government has directed the inspector general of police to make appointments as soon as possible.

According to a notification, the commissioners and regional police officers has been asked to address the issue of Khassadars and Levies by engaging them effectively.

"Some of their concerns are ill-founded while others can be addressed without any administrative and financial implications," said a notification issued from the office of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary. It asked the IGP to post the DPOs as soon as possible.

Through the notification, five teams of commissioners, regional police officers, deputy commissioners and district police officers were constituted to address various issues of the law-enforcers in the merged districts. It stated there is a growing sense of unrest among them in the merged districts.

"It should be explained to the Levies and Khassadars that the merger brings far more benefits to them and their communities in the tribal districts. By the recent legislation/ ordinance their service has been protected and avenues of their induction in the police have been provided. Their work environment will remain undisturbed and they will get more powers in combating crimes," stated the order.

The notification said their refusal to carry out their mandate may constitute willful defiance and may carry greater repercussion. It continued that the process of engagement should be completed as soon as possible but not later than two weeks.

According to the notification, the commissioner and RPO of Malakand along with other officers will address the issues of the Levies and Khassadars in Bajaur. The Peshawar commissioner along with the capital city police officer and other officials will look into the issues of Khassadars and Levies in Khyber and subdivision Hassankhel.

The commissioner and RPO of Mardan will address the issues in Mohmand. Similar teams were also constituted for addressing the issues of the law enforcement personnel in other merged districts and sub-divisions.

The federal government after a meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, had set a timeframe for completing the process of setting up of courts and moving the police force into the merged districts within a year.