Tallal warns new KP police law may weaken command

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry on Thursday criticised a draft Khyber Pakhtunkhwa law that would replace the KP Police Act 2017, warning that the proposed changes could weaken the police command structure and hurt the force's ability to maintain law and order and fight terrorism.

The 2017 KP Police Act currently governs the provincial police. The proposed replacement would significantly alter the balance of authority between the police chief and the provincial government by making the inspector general's operational, administrative and financial decisions subject to approval from the provincial government or the chief minister, according to Dawn. The provincial cabinet approved the draft on Wednesday, the newspaper reported.

Speaking at a press conference, Chaudhry said the legislation could affect the command structure, discipline and morale of the provincial police, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. He said that while policing and law and order are provincial subjects under the Constitution, that should not come at the cost of a weakened chain of command.

Dawn quoted the minister as saying the new law would create confusion in the police hierarchy. He urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to reconsider the bill, warning that any dilution of the inspector general's authority could be exploited by criminal networks and militant groups at a time when the province faces serious security challenges.

The federal minister's objections came a day after the provincial cabinet cleared the proposed legislation. Both Dawn and the Associated Press of Pakistan carried the minister's remarks.