PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) central president Senator Aimal Wali Khan has questioned the legality of proposed amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act, 2017, saying the changes appeared to be inconsistent with the relevant legal framework governing the police force.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Senator Aimal said the ANP had been the only political party to oppose the Police Act in 2017.

“Our position was clear that vesting all powers in one individual would create problems rather than bringing improvement to the police force,” he said.

He said the ANP had also opposed the promotion of officers from other provinces against the provincial quota under the Act.

“Even today, whatever is being done, if it is challenged before a court, the court will strike it down,” he claimed.

Senator Aimal said the proposed amendment also appeared, prima facie, to be inconsistent with Article 11(1) of the Police Order, 2002, as well as the applicable Pakistan Police Service (PSP) cadre rules and the relevant establishment rules.

He further claimed that the federal government had a legal role in matters concerning the repatriation or return of an inspector general of police.

“Who gives them such advice, I do not know,” he remarked.

Referring to the political claims made after the enactment of the Police Act, 2017, Senator Aimal said the then PTI leadership had repeatedly claimed at public gatherings that the reforms had freed the police from political influence.

“What is being done today? Are these the same police reforms that were claimed to have freed the police from political influence?” he asked.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2026