PESHAWAR: Two model police stations were opened in Kalaya area of Orakzai and Ghalanai area of Mohmand tribal districts on Tuesday.

The launching ceremony of the police stations was held in Islamabad attended by officials of the United Nations Development Programme, the government of Japan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, according to a statement issued here.

Speaking on the occasion, KP police chief Akhtar Hayat Khan said the partnership with UNDP and the Japan government was meant to enhance access to justice for people in the province, including merged districts. He said opening of model police stations in Mohmand and Orakzai was the result of collaboration between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, UNDP Pakistan and the Japan government.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador of Japan Wada Mitsuhiro said supporting the security and justice sector institutions to provide people-oriented and gender-responsive services, especially in post-merger districts, was crucial in maintaining the rule of law in KP.

“Training provided to former Levies officials and Khasadars after their integration into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police will ensure an improved formal policing and justice system in merged areas,” said Ms Aliona Niculita, officer in-charge of UNDP Pakistan. “Together, we remain resolute in enhancing people’ access to more inclusive, accessible, and efficient access to justice and security services in merged districts, particularly for women and other marginalised groups.”

The model police stations are unique centres in merged districts, as they provide a range of new facilities to better serve the people. Among others, these include a gender-responsive desk to address gender-based crimes reported to the police stations, a hall to convene joint community and police meetings, an investigation room, an office for station house officers, security posts, lodging facilities to accommodate 55 personnel and separate holding rooms for men and women.

Meanwhile, a model police station equipped with modern facilities was inaugurated in Lower Mamond tehsil of Bajaur district on Tuesday.

Bajaur deputy commissioner Mohamnad Anwarul Haq and district police officer Nazeer Khan inaugurated the police station located in Laghari area near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border during a ceremony, according to a statement.

DPO Nazeer Khan said the police station had a central hall, public information display centre, a central command system, modern communication and quick response systems.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2023