AS police forces across the country paid homage to fallen comrades on Police Martyrs Day this past Friday, the KP IGP outlined some grim realities: police personnel lay down their lives to battle terrorists, gangs and criminals, but compensation, equipment and training remain poor. Speaking about the challenges for the province’s police force, IGP Akhtar Gandapur acknowledged the government’s recent approval of a welfare package providing free education and health to the children and widows of martyred policemen. But he also highlighted that the salaries of those in the police force in KP — a province at the forefront of the war against militancy — were lower than those of officers elsewhere in the country. This statement from a senior police officer must be taken seriously by the government. Given the high cost of living and the rise of militancy, incentives for police forces across the province must be strong to attract and retain good officers and compensate them for a dangerous job.

Funding for the police force in Pakistan has historically been inadequate. Across the country, there are reports that police personnel lack modern equipment and are struggling with resources. This undoubtedly has a direct impact on their performance, as many officers are unable to effectively carry out their duties due to the lack of motivation. Low incentives do not do anything to boost the morale of officers. Some are left to explore alternative means of survival; in other cases, they indulge in practices such as accepting bribes. The combination of corruption, political interference and limited resources results in a police force that the public looks at with mistrust, even though it is a force that has been on the front line, defending citizens against major terror attacks. Earlier this year, a brazen militant attack on a mosque in Peshawar’s police compound left scores dead. Police officials escorting polio teams have been attacked multiple times. In Sindh, the upper riverine areas are plagued by criminal gangs that have outsmarted and outnumbered the area’s police force. There are many such stories in big and small cities, where crime is high and citizens are sitting ducks in the face of armed robbers. Our authorities must do more to strengthen the police monetarily and in terms of equipment. It is unconscionable to send ill-equipped, poorly paid men and women to fight under these circumstances.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2023