PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has directed the finance department for immediate release of Rs5.5 billion to fulfill various needs of the police in a bid to strengthen and reinforce the police force in the province.
The K-P CM chaired an important meeting regarding police affairs at Chief Minister’s Secretariat. Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, Additional Chief Secretary Home Muhammad Abid Majeed and senior officials from police and finance department attended the meeting.
According to the details, the meeting decided to immediately release Rs3 billion for bulletproof police vehicles and purchase of other modern equipment.
Additionally, it was also decided to provide Rs1.3 billion to establish Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams equipped with modern technology at the district level and to secure police stations and check posts.
Furthermore, Rs500 million would be released for the remaining projects under the Annual Development Program related to the construction of police stations and Rs720 million for the purchase of night vision goggles, sniper rifles and other equipment for the police force.
The K-P CM has decided in principle to bring the salaries of police officers and personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at par the salaries of their counterparts in other provinces.
During the briefing, it was informed that the salaries of police officers in Balochistan are the highest among all provinces, while the salaries of police personnel in Punjab are higher than in any other province.
Ali Amin Gandpaur highlighted that maintaining law and order was the top priority of the current provincial government. Given the current security situation in the province, it is crucial to strengthen the police force in every possible way, he added.
The CM emphasized that the provincial government had been spending substantial resources to enhance police capabilities from day one, adding the funds will continue to be provided on a priority basis to meet the needs of the police.
The Chief Minister pointed out that equipping the police force to tackle present security challenges was of utmost importance, and there would be no compromise on the matter. He acknowledged the bravery and sacrifices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police force in combating terrorism and expressed pride in their performance. He also made it clear that the provincial government would not allow financial constraints to hinder the fulfillment of police requirements.
