Govt to challenge amended KP Police Act in Supreme Court

Govt to challenge amended KP Police Act in Supreme Court

Peshawar: The federal government has announced plans to challenge the amended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act in the Supreme Court.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the amended law had only recently received approval from the federal cabinet and urged the provincial government to reconsider its position.

Chaudhry said the federal government had several legal options regarding the amended Police Act and confirmed that the legislation would be challenged before the Supreme Court.

The minister alleged that the KP government had not merely reduced the powers of the inspector general of police but had also weakened the overall command structure of the provincial police. He said the proposed legislation appeared to create greater political influence over police affairs.

Chaudhry further alleged that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was attempting to place greater authority under his own control and make the police structure subordinate to the provincial government and its political leadership.

He also highlighted the security challenges facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the province had been fighting terrorism for the past 15 to 20 years. He questioned why the Counter Terrorism Department was still operating from rented buildings despite the province’s long-running security challenges.

Commenting on claims regarding the detention of a provincial minister, Chaudhry questioned the provincial government’s ability to address such issues and asked why its leadership continued in office if it considered itself powerless.

The minister also addressed reports about road closures in Islamabad, saying all 125 routes leading into the federal capital remained open.

The KP cabinet approved the new Police Act a day earlier. Under the proposed changes, if the provincial government is dissatisfied with the inspector general’s performance, it can seek additional names from the federal government for the appointment of a new IG. The legislation also gives the provincial government authority over police postings and transfers.