Khassadars get shoulder promotions as DSPs

PESHAWAR: To ensure smooth induction of the Levies and Khassadar force from the merged tribal districts into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, officials of the Khassadar force in BPS-5 have been given shoulder promotions as deputy superintendents of police (DSP).

Presently, only BPS-16 inspectors could get one-step shoulder promotion for posting as DSPs. This is for the first time ever that officials in BPS-5 will be working as DSPs.

“The order is being issued in the best interest of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police,” mentioned an official letter about the posting of new DSPs under an understanding to induct senior and junior officials of the Khassadar force and Levies into the police force in their own or senior ranks. An official said the step was being taken to streamline affairs of the establishment of the regular police system in the merged areas. The services of the Khassadars have been protected under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Khassadar Force (Maintenance, Regulation and Protection of Service) Transition Ordinance 2019.

A similar ordinance has been issued for protecting the service of Levies. The spokesman for the KP Police said the merger and induction of the Levies and Khassadars into the police force was a long and continuous process. “The district police officers in the merged districts are going through the lists of all the Levies and Khassadar officials. The Khassadars and Levies personnel will be inducted into the force as per their ranks,” said Shahzada Kokab Farooq. He said presently the officials got shoulder promotions to start policing in their areas. Another official said the grades in the Khassadars and Levies were not like the regular police. He said a subedar major wore ranks like that of the SP or major. “These minor issues emerge with the merger. All these issues will be addressed in the coming months and weeks amicably,” the official said.

The KP Police faced a tough situation before moving into the erstwhile Fata as Levies and Khassadars along with maliks and others had opposed their deployment into the recently merged districts.

At one stage the law-enforcers in Bajaur refused to allow KP Police to help arrange security for the rally of the prime minister in March. The contingents of police returned to avoid a clash.

A series of meetings were held with Khassadars and Levies after which the police force gradually started moving into the merged districts. The district police officers have been appointed for all the merged districts. The police force also participated in providing security to a rally of PM in Khyber district a few days back where Levies and Khassadars welcomed senior cops.