PESHAWAR/KHAR: The home and tribal affairs department on Monday notified the merger of 4,517 Khasadar and Levies personnel into the provincial police department.

The merged Khasadar and Levies personnel include 2,441 in Bajaur district, 1,043 in Orakzai district, 618 in Darra Adamkhel and 425 in Bittani.

Notifications were issued separately for each district in pursuance of the KP Khasadars Force Act, 2019, and with prior approval of the provincial cabinet and on the recommendations of the provincial police officer.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief Sanaullah Abbasi has said that efforts are under way to provide all basic facilities, including modern weapons, to the personnel of the Levies and Khasadar forces to further boost their professional capabilities.

He stated this while addressing a police darbar at the Levies lines in Khar during his maiden visit to Bajaur tribal district on Monday.

Mr Abbasi said the provincial government had formally integrated the Levies and Khasaar forces of tribal districts into police. He said personnel of both the forces had become part of the regular police.

Mr Abbasi asked the personnel of Levies Force to perform their duties with commitment and honesty.

He lauded the role of the Levies and Khasadar personnel in restoration of peace in the region.

Earlier, the personnel told the IGP that they had yet to get incentives as the regular police even months after the merger.

DIG Malakand region Ijaz Khan and Bajaur district police officer Pir Shahab Ali Shah were also present on the occasion.

The police chief also visited Yadgar-i-Shuhada and planted a sapling there.

Later, talking to reporters, Mr Abassi said the main purpose of his visit to Bajaur was to meet the personnel and officials of police and to know about their performance and the requirements.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2020