PESHAWAR: The PoliceShuhada Day was observed across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, with people from different walks of life pledging to fight terrorism together.

Addressing a function in the provincial capital to mark the day, Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur said the war against terrorism would be waged with collective resolve.

He said his government was striving to address the issues faced by the police and strengthen their capacity.

Mr Gandapur said the budgetary allocations for the provincial police were increased from Rs124 billion in the financial year 2024-25 to Rs158 billion for the current fiscal 2025-26.

CM announces cash, plots for families of fallen personnel

He announced that 2,400 police personnel would be recruited from the merged tribal districts.

The chief minister said police officials laid down their lives for peace in the province, so their sacrifices would always be remembered and their families would never be left alone.

He said that Rs1 billion was spent on the welfare of the family members of the martyred police personnel.

Mr Gandapur announced Rs50,000 cash payment for each of those families and requested provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed to ensure the release of that amount before August 14.

He said that family members of the martyred security personnel, including those from the armed forces, would be allotted plots.

On the occasion, police chief Hameed said those who laid down their lives for peace in the country would always be remembered.

He said that it was difficult to maintain law and order in a society, which faced internal and external challenges.

The police chief said his force never hesitated to fulfil its responsibilities.

“Despite facing attacks, we [police] never refused to confront terrorists and will continue doing so for peace,” he said.

Mr Hameed said like its past, police would never hesitate to face the issues and those involved in creating law and order situations would be dealt with.

He said that all the issues of the family members of the martyred police personnel would be resolved on priority.

On the occasion, additional inspector general police Mohammad Ali Babakhel said the challenges for police increased after the merger of the tribal region with KP.

He said terrorists wanted to create a wedge between people and police but such bids would never succeed.

“Our personnel challenged terrorists and sacrificed their lives to protect the homeland,” he said.

On the occasion, the Police Shuhada Family App was also launched for the family members of the martyred personnel.

Meanwhile, the Awami National Party and business community paid tribute to

police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, and demanded concrete steps to restore peace in the province.

Addressing a Police Martyrs Day function at the Nowshera police lines on Monday, ANP provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain emphasised that the policies against terrorism needed to be reviewed and reformed.

Mr Hussain highlighted that KP had been suffering from terrorism for decades, resulting in significant human, social and economic losses.

He wondered why Punjab and Sindh had peace but KP remained affected by terrorism. He suggested a review of national policies.

The ANP leader praised the province’s police for their sacrifices and emphasised the need for better resources and support.

He stressed the importance of coordination between the military and police and said equal facilities should be provided to both of them.

“Serious efforts should be made to establish a peaceful, dignified and sovereign KP,” he said.

Mr Hussain emphasised the need for reforms in foreign, domestic and security policies to address the root causes of terrorism and demanded that the policies prioritise the protection of people, land and the Constitution.

In a statement,the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed solidarity with families of martyred police officials and praised police for protecting public life and property.

SCCI president Fazal Moqeem Khan, senior vice-president Abdul Jalil Jan, vice-president Shehryar Khan and members of the executive committee, in a joint statement in connection with ‘Youm-e-Shuhada-i-Police’, said business community was proud of their brave and valiant police force for the countless sacrifices.

They said the unwavering dedication, unrelenting courage and selfless sacrifice of police personnel would be remembered and honoured.

The SCCI leaders said they saluted the fallen heroes who had protected the nation with their sweat and blood.

Also in the day, theMansehrapolice’s contingents presented a salute and fired aerial shots as a tribute to the fallen police personnel.

A rally began outside the Mansehra Press Club and culminated at the police memorial at Butt Bridge, attracting people of different walks of life, especially businessmen and lawyers.

Participants marched along Shinkiari Road and Kashmir Road, holding banners and placards in remembrance of the martyred police officials.

Police personnel donated blood at a camp organised with support from local doctors and chemists.

A ceremony was held at the Javed Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines in Swat’s Kabal area to praise the police’s sacrifices against terrorism.

The participants included deputy commissioner Mohammad Saleem Marwat, district police officer Umar Khan, officers of the Pakistan Army, assistant commissioner of Kabal, families of martyred police officials, retired police officers and local dignitaries.

Children of the martyred personnel spent the day with police officers and participated in various events. They were later taken to the newly-constructed zoo in Township Kanju for recreation.

The initiative aimed to show solidarity with the families and brighten the day of the little ones.

In Dera Ismail Khan, the Ejaz Shaheed Police Lines hosted a function to pay tribute to the martyred police officials.

Regional police officer Syed Ashfaq Anwar, along with tehsil mayor Umar Amin Khan Gandapur, offered a salute at the memorial to the police martyrs and prayed for them.

The event concluded with tree plantation at police lines as part of the Green Pakistan campaign, led by the RPO and the mayor.

Functions were also held in Lakki Marwat, Bannu and Karak districts to mark the Police Martyrs Day.

Lakki DPO Nazir, along with children of martyred personnel, placed wreaths on the monument of martyrs. A police contingent presented a guard of honour to their fallen colleagues.

In Bannu, students delivered speeches to highlight sacrifices of the martyred police personnel.They also sang patriotic songs and presented tableaus to pay tribute to the martyred policemen.

The day was also observed in Mardan, Lower and Upper Dir, Chitral, Bajaur, Swabi, Lower and Upper South Waziristan, Battagram and Kohat.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2025