Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet approves revised Police Act 2026
Information Minister Shafi Jan said the law separates police policy from operations and lets the province recall underperforming federal officers.
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet on Wednesday approved the revised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act 2026 after incorporating amendments to address reservations raised by ministers, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. The approval came at the 59th cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi.
Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan told reporters the law was an important step toward police reform, the Express Tribune reported. He said it would make the police more accountable, strengthen the investigation system and separate policy from operational matters.
Under the Act, the provincial government may return the services of federal police officers, including the inspector general, in cases of unsatisfactory performance. The law creates a Police Policy Board chaired by the chief minister and a Police Operations Board led by the inspector general. The provincial police chief will prepare an annual policing plan with priorities and performance targets and present it to the Policy Board for approval.
The Act provides for the appointment of Regional Investigation Officers across the province once the provincial assembly passes it. Transfers and postings of Regional Police Officers and District Police Officers will be regulated under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rules of Business 1985. Promotion quotas, fast-track promotions and direct recruitment are to be rebalanced.
All existing Dispute Resolution Councils will be dissolved and reconstituted under a standardised procedure, the minister said. The current legal framework does not give a clear procedure for these councils.
The cabinet also approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Stamp (Amendment) Bill 2026, revised cost estimates for an intake structure and tunnel under the Peshawar Water Supply Scheme, and release of funds for land acquisition and sports complexes in Chitral, the Express Tribune reported.
Minute Mirror reported that the proposed law aims to establish a modern, accountable and service-oriented police system and to prevent misuse of official authority, while reshaping the powers of the provincial police officer.
Mansehra assistant commissioner injured in Nowshera firing
Adil Waseem was shot at near Jalozai Panah Kot on Cherat Road while travelling to Peshawar, and is stable at Lady Reading Hospital, police and hospital officials said.
PM defends governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
UrduPoint quoted the prime minister saying a delayed decision would have caused further damage, and that the government waited for approval of a draft agreed in negotiations.
PM Shehbaz defends Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor's rule, blames stalled talks
Shehbaz Sharif told a PML-N meeting that 48 hours of PPP-PML-N negotiation produced a draft that never won provincial approval, and questioned Rs800bn in NFC transfers.
KP health commission seals 1,465 illegal medical centres in three months
Inspectors checked 6,673 facilities across the province and issued explanation notices to 2,668 centres, the commission's performance report says.