KHYBER: A new police training centre was inaugurated in Shahkas Khyber tribal district on Wednesday.

The new police training centre in Khyber and 10 checkposts in different tribal districts have been set up with the help of the US government through its International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section (INL).

US Consul General Richard H Riley and INL Director Mark Tervakoski along with Provincial Minister Shaukat Ali Yousafzai, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Moazzam Jah Ansari and Frontier Corps KP North Inspector General Maj Gen Adil Yamin jointly performed the inauguration ceremony. They also performed the groundbreaking of a new barrack for accommodation of policewomen.

A press release issued by the US Consulate in Peshawar said that in total the US government was providing over $7.4 million for the three projects.

Speaking on the occasion, Richard H Riley said that the event marked another step in the long partnership between the US and Pakistan.

“These facilities will help police to train increasingly capable and professional officers and expand law enforcement services to the newly-merged districts, leading to increased security and prosperity for the people living in the region,” he said.

Regarding the women’s barrack, INL Director Mark Tervakoski said that as more Pakistani women were joining police, they would inevitably widen police understanding of gender issues and enhance the quality of service offered to people of all genders.

The new training facility has a 500-officer capacity and is already playing an important role in the training of former Levies Force. The 10 checkposts in Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and other tribal districts will smooth the transition of former Levies Force into police.

The women barrack, scheduled for completion in July of 2022, will assist police in their goal of increasing the number of female officers in their service. All three facilities have been constructed by Frontier Corps.

Meanwhile, relatives of the martyred Khasadar and Levies personnel of Khyber held a protest demonstration at Shahkas police centre prior to the visit of US and KP police officials.

Holding placards, they demanded Shuhada Package and other perks and privileges for their deceased relatives. They dispersed peacefully after they met IGP Moazzam Jah Ansari, who assured them of fulfilment of their demands in due course of time.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2021