PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – The provincial cabinet has approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act 2026 with amendments concerning police appointments, transfers, oversight and administrative powers.
The changes were approved during the cabinet’s 59th meeting chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi.
KP Information Minister Shafi Jan said a subcommittee’s report on the proposed police legislation was presented to the cabinet. The report was prepared in consultation with KP police authorities and subsequently approved with additional recommendations.
Senior appointments
According to the approved provisions, the chief minister will have powers concerning the appointment and transfer of police officers in Grade 18 and above under the KP Rules of Business 1985. The chief minister will also have authority over the appointment of district police officers (DPOs).
The legislation further proposes that recruitment at the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) level will include a 25 percent direct recruitment quota.
However, the information released after the cabinet meeting indicates that the existing procedure for appointing the KP inspector general (IG) of police will remain in place. Under the current mechanism, the federal government sends three names to the provincial government, from which the provincial government selects the IG.
Earlier reports had described a proposal to reverse this arrangement, under which the provincial government would have greater direct control over the selection from names sent by the federal government. The cabinet-approved details, however, state that the IG’s appointment will continue under the existing law.
Policy oversight
The amended framework strengthens the provincial government’s oversight of police affairs, with the Police Policy Board to be headed by the chief minister.
The board will have a role in police policy and planning, while the annual provincial police plan will require approval from the board under the chief minister’s leadership.
The legislation also provides that the services of the IG can be withdrawn at any time on the chief minister’s direction in cases of misconduct.
At the same time, operational powers will remain with the IG. The police chief will retain authority over operational matters, the appointment of heads of police training schools, promotions of personnel and the wearing of police badges.
DRC reforms
The amended Police Act also seeks to strengthen the Dispute Resolution Council (DRC) system across the province.
Existing DRCs will be dissolved and new rules will be introduced to establish and regulate the councils under the revised framework.