CHARSADDA: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday visited the Federal Constabulary Training Centre in Shabqadar, where he inspected special training exercises of the anti-riot wing and appreciated the professional skills and operational preparedness of the personnel.
The anti-riot personnel demonstrated practical exercises related to crowd control and maintaining law and order. The minister said the anti-riot force had been trained on modern lines and was fully prepared to deal with any law and order situation.
“Maintaining peace and stability is our collective responsibility and we will not allow anyone to sabotage law and order in the country,” Mr Naqvi said.
He said peaceful protest was a constitutional right of every citizen and there was no objection to demonstrations held within the ambit of law. However, he added, violence and vandalism could not be allowed under the guise of protest.
The minister said the role of the Federal Constabulary had assumed particular importance in the prevailing circumstances and directed the personnel to remain fully prepared to meet all kinds of challenges.
He said international-standard modern protective gear was being provided to the personnel. He also directed that gas masks be provided to all personnel to improve their safety and operational capacity during anti-riot operations.
Mr Naqvi also visited the barracks and interacted with the personnel. During his interaction, the personnel confirmed that the issue of prolonged loadshedding had been resolved and uninterrupted electricity supply was now being provided.
The minister directed the authorities to reconstruct all washrooms at the FC headquarters. He also announced that modern sports facilities and an international-standard swimming pool would be constructed at the headquarters.
POWER CUTS PROTESTED: Workers of political parties staged a protest outside the office of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company’s executive engineer here on Friday against prolonged loadshedding and frequent tripping.
The protesters locked the office of the executive engineer. According to witnesses, some demonstrators damaged signboards installed outside the office.
The protesters complained that prolonged electricity outages had disrupted their lives and businesses.
Workers and supporters of Awami National Party, Jamaat-i-Islami, Qaumi Watan Party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and other political groups participated in the demonstration.
The speakers claimed that consumers were facing extended periods without electricity despite repeated assurances by the relevant authorities that relief would be provided. They said power outages had not only affected households but had also disrupted commercial activities.
The protesters called for the immediate transfer of the XEN, alleging that the existing arrangements had failed to provide relief to the people.
The protesters later dispersed after announcing their next course of action for Monday.
Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2026
