Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday vowed to reject the proposed police law if it compromised the force’s professional independence, saying he would review the legislation in the light of the Constitution.
Governor KP opposes law to curb police autonomy
PESHAWAR, Sep 25 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday vowed to reject the proposed police law if it compromised the force’s professional independence, saying he would review the legislation in the light of the Constitution.
Talking to media, the Governor said reports suggested the proposed legislation sought to subordinate the police to the provincial government, adding that he would examine the bill in the light of the Constitution if it reached his office after approval by the assembly.
He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police had rendered immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and should be strengthened instead of being subjected to political influence.
He called for better salaries and benefits for police personnel, equal to those in other provinces, and proposed a dedicated fund to ensure education and financial support for the families of martyred police officials.
Kundi also criticized the provincial government’s priorities, expressing concern over the prevailing law and order situation and alleging that the government’s focus remained on political protests rather than addressing public issues.
He urged the provincial government to concentrate on improving education, healthcare and public services, pointing to doctors’ strikes, protests by teachers, employees and pensioners, the spread of dengue, and delays in anti-polio campaigns in several districts.
Referring to the CRBC breach in Dera Ismail Khan, the Governor said rehabilitation and relief efforts had yet to be carried out effectively, while also raising concerns over the rights of the merged districts and former FATA and PATA.
He said the federal government had already provided modern weapons to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through Heavy Industries Taxila and added that another consignment would be delivered according to schedule.
The Governor appealed to members of the provincial assembly not to approve the proposed police law and urged government officials to act in accordance with court orders to prevent public servants from becoming involved in any anti-state activities.
Commenting on speculation regarding Governor’s Rule, Kundi said any decision in that regard would be taken by the federation in the broader interest of the province and not solely in the context of the proposed long march.
The Governor also criticized the provincial government’s planned long march, saying peaceful protest was a democratic right but incitement to violence and destruction could not be justified.
He alleged that the provincial government was attempting to involve government employees and police personnel in the protest, adding that such efforts would fail. Kundi urged the provincial leadership to focus on education, healthcare and public welfare instead of political agitation.
