PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Wednesday approved a proposal for the establishment of the counter-terrorism department’s offices in all districts.

He directed the police department to ensure effective functioning of the CTD in the meantime.

During the 10th meeting of the provincial task force on capacity building of police in merged tribal districts here, the chief minister also approved several proposals for the strengthening of the police department across the province, especially in the erstwhile Fata and said peace was imperative for progress and development.

He said the government would provide all possible resources be the police for their development along modern lines.

CM says peace is imperative for development

The participants, including Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat, finance minister Taimur Khan Jhagra, commissioners and regional police officers, discussed matters related to the police’s movement in tribal districts, housing issue, manpower shortages, especially women’s, in tribal districts, according to an official statement issued here.

The chief minister ordered the simplification of police recruitment in tribal areas, especially to fill vacancies by the residents.

He asked the department to finalise modalities for the formation of a provincial cadre for police services to address the shortages of qualified manpower.

Mr Mahmood accepted in principle the proposal for providing the ‘counter-terrorism allowance’ to the CTD officials and bringing the salary of the police officials on par with that of the Civil Secretariat employees.

He directed the relevant officials to submit proposals to the relevant committee and work out modalities for the purpose before seeking their approval from the government.

According to the statement, the chief minister, in order to strengthen the CTD, accepted in principle the proposal to create the post of additional inspector general and other relevant posts and said the process should be completed by next week.

He also approved the hiring of technical experts and access to the relevant technical data by the CTD and directed the police department to take up the matter with the relevant federal authorities for effective and efficient service delivery.

Also, the participants agreed to grant the status of hard area to tribal districts for the provision of ‘sufficient incentives’ and said the matter would be taken up at the relevant forums.

The chief minister said the early provision of arms, gadgets and other necessary equipment to the police should be ensured.

He said the police department was a professional institution, which had rendered great sacrifices for maintaining law and order in the province.

Mr Mahmood said he would extend all possible cooperation and support to help meet the needs of the police department for better performance.

“Technical development is paramount to ensure efficient service delivery and safety of the police personnel on duty,” he said.

The chief minister ordered the immediate provision of the revised Shuhada and Food packages.

He directed the police department to ensure accountability of officials under the Police Act, 2017, to ensure that they know their respective roles and become more responsible and proactive.

Mr Mahmood minister said his government would use its all resources to ensure that peace prevails and the police department is well equipped for the purpose.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2022