PESHAWAR (Dunya News) - Key details of the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act 2026 have emerged, including changes to the appointment and transfer of senior police officers and greater provincial government control over police policies.
Under the proposed legislation, the provincial government would issue the notification for the appointment of the KP inspector general of police. If the provincial government is dissatisfied with the IG's performance, it could seek additional names from the federal government for a possible replacement.
In the IG's absence, the additional IG headquarters would assume charge. Transfers of DSPs and ASPs would be handled by the home secretary, while the chief minister would have authority over transfers of SPs, SSPs and additional IGs.
Notifications for the appointment of SPs, SSPs and additional IGs would be issued by the administration department.
The proposed act also states that the police would not directly submit responses in legal matters. Instead, responses approved by the law department and the advocate general's office would be submitted on behalf of the police.
The proposed legislation would place authority over all police postings and transfers with the provincial government. It would also transfer chairmanship of the police policy board from the IG to the chief minister.
Under the proposal, the chief minister would have authority to formulate operational, administrative and financial policies for the police, while administrative policies would remain subject to provincial government orders. Senior officers express reservations
According to sources, consultations on the proposed reforms are continuing among senior police officers from grades 18 to 20, with some officers expressing reservations.
Sources said some Pakistan Police Service officers were considering moves to the FIA and Frontier Constabulary, while some DPOs were reportedly willing to seek transfers to Punjab or Islamabad.
Police sources attributed the concerns to possible political intervention and institutional changes, warning that the departure of experienced officers could create administrative gaps and potentially affect law and order.