PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed has placed district police on alert for possible violent protests and sabotage in the event of the federal government imposing an emergency in the province, directing officers to prioritise public safety and exercise extreme caution in the use of force.
A notification issued by the inspector general’s office laid down operational guidelines for managing demonstrations, warning that miscreants and anti-state elements could exploit protests to trigger violence, damage public property and carry out sabotage activities.
Under the directives, district police officers (DPOs), sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) and station house officers (SHOs) have been instructed to personally supervise protests within their respective jurisdictions and ensure adequate deployment of personnel to maintain law and order.
The deployment plan includes anti-riot squads equipped with protective gear, verified supplies of tear gas guns and shells, and special unarmed teams tasked with identifying and apprehending violent protesters. Plainclothes personnel are also to be deployed to identify suspected troublemakers and saboteurs.
Armed personnel, according to the notification, should be deployed only at important or appropriate locations in extremely urgent situations.
Police told to protect sensitive installationsThe IGP directed SHOs to identify vulnerable locations along protest routes and ensure sufficient security at sensitive installations and public facilities.
These include police stations and offices, government buildings, petrol stations, banks, shopping centres, major roads and highways, and other sensitive sites that could be targeted during unrest.
The notification also outlined the legal powers available to police to regulate demonstrations and prevent breaches of peace.
It said DPOs could require organisers to obtain a licence for an assembly or protest under Section 84 of the KP Police Act, 2017, or other applicable laws and regulations, where a breach of peace was considered likely.
Under the guidelines, DPOs, SDPOs and SHOs may intervene when a procession violates the conditions of a licence issued under the law. Authorities can order such processions or assemblies to disperse in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.
An assembly that refuses to comply with a lawful dispersal order under the relevant provisions of the KP Police Act may be treated as unlawful, the notification said.
Police officers have also been authorised to regulate streets and public places temporarily, including by erecting barriers to restrict the movement of people and vehicles where security considerations require such measures.
Minimum force to be used against violent protestersEmphasising restraint, the IGP directed police to avoid using force during peaceful demonstrations and roadblocks and to pursue negotiations with protesters before taking coercive measures.
The senior-most police officer available at a protest site should engage demonstrators and attempt to persuade them to disperse peacefully, the notification said.
However, where serious disorder, a breach of law or an imminent threat to life and property arises, the competent police officer may order the use of appropriate force after assessing the situation and declaring the assembly unlawful in accordance with the law.
The senior-most supervisory officer at the scene will determine the nature and extent of force required to disperse an unlawful gathering.
“The application shall be of minimum essential standard,” the notification said, stressing that force must be used in stages, beginning with the minimum level necessary and escalating only when circumstances demand it.
Police have been instructed to issue clear warnings to violent protesters before resorting to force.
If necessary, tear gas shells or grenades may be used from a safe distance to disperse demonstrators. The guidelines also mention the use of rubber-bullet guns and paper-ball guns against violent protesters, subject to the prescribed precautions.
If the situation deteriorates further, police may resort to a baton charge using appropriate anti-riot equipment. Special unarmed squads would then be activated to apprehend those involved in violence and initiate legal proceedings.
Aerial firing restricted to extreme situationsThe notification sets a particularly high threshold for aerial firing, stating that it may be considered only in cases of extreme violence involving an imminent threat to life and property.
Even in such circumstances, aerial firing by designated armed personnel or special squads would require directions from the senior-most police officer present at the scene.
The guidelines also state that police may seize firearms or other prohibited articles carried by individuals where the relevant legal provisions apply. Legal action may be initiated against those concerned under the applicable law, including Section 148 of the Pakistan Penal Code where warranted.
The IGP stressed that officers must exercise extreme caution to prevent casualties and damage to property during crowd-control operations. Personnel assigned to anti-riot duties must be properly equipped to minimise injuries to protesters, police officers and other members of the public.
Video recording, coordination made mandatoryTo strengthen accountability and facilitate the identification of individuals involved in violence, SHOs have been directed to arrange video recording of entire protests and processions, preferably through professional cameramen.
The notification further instructed DPOs to ensure proper briefings, rehearsals and reporting arrangements in the event of a law-and-order emergency, with instructions to be issued in accordance with Operational Guidelines OG-9/2013.
It also called for prior consultation and coordination among supervisory police officers and key stakeholders, including district administrations, law enforcement agencies and other relevant authorities.
The directives come amid the possibility of heightened political tension in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if the federal government moves to impose an emergency in the province.
The police guidelines seek to prepare district-level forces for potential unrest while establishing procedures for crowd management, protection of sensitive installations and action against violence.
By placing emphasis on negotiations, graduated responses and the minimum necessary use of force, the notification seeks to balance the maintenance of public order with the protection of life and property during any potential demonstrations.
The IGP directed SHOs to identify vulnerable locations along protest routes and ensure sufficient security at sensitive installations and public facilities.
These include police stations and offices, government buildings, petrol stations, banks, shopping centres, major roads and highways, and other sensitive sites that could be targeted during unrest.
The notification also outlined the legal powers available to police to regulate demonstrations and prevent breaches of peace.
It said DPOs could require organisers to obtain a licence for an assembly or protest under Section 84 of the KP Police Act, 2017, or other applicable laws and regulations, where a breach of peace was considered likely.
Under the guidelines, DPOs, SDPOs and SHOs may intervene when a procession violates the conditions of a licence issued under the law. Authorities can order such processions or assemblies to disperse in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.
An assembly that refuses to comply with a lawful dispersal order under the relevant provisions of the KP Police Act may be treated as unlawful, the notification said.
Police officers have also been authorised to regulate streets and public places temporarily, including by erecting barriers to restrict the movement of people and vehicles where security considerations require such measures.
Minimum force to be used against violent protesters
Emphasising restraint, the IGP directed police to avoid using force during peaceful demonstrations and roadblocks and to pursue negotiations with protesters before taking coercive measures.
The senior-most police officer available at a protest site should engage demonstrators and attempt to persuade them to disperse peacefully, the notification said.
However, where serious disorder, a breach of law or an imminent threat to life and property arises, the competent police officer may order the use of appropriate force after assessing the situation and declaring the assembly unlawful in accordance with the law.
The senior-most supervisory officer at the scene will determine the nature and extent of force required to disperse an unlawful gathering.
“The application shall be of minimum essential standard,” the notification said, stressing that force must be used in stages, beginning with the minimum level necessary and escalating only when circumstances demand it.
Police have been instructed to issue clear warnings to violent protesters before resorting to force.
If necessary, tear gas shells or grenades may be used from a safe distance to disperse demonstrators. The guidelines also mention the use of rubber-bullet guns and paper-ball guns against violent protesters, subject to the prescribed precautions.
If the situation deteriorates further, police may resort to a baton charge using appropriate anti-riot equipment. Special unarmed squads would then be activated to apprehend those involved in violence and initiate legal proceedings.
Aerial firing restricted to extreme situations
The notification sets a particularly high threshold for aerial firing, stating that it may be considered only in cases of extreme violence involving an imminent threat to life and property.
Even in such circumstances, aerial firing by designated armed personnel or special squads would require directions from the senior-most police officer present at the scene.
The guidelines also state that police may seize firearms or other prohibited articles carried by individuals where the relevant legal provisions apply. Legal action may be initiated against those concerned under the applicable law, including Section 148 of the Pakistan Penal Code where warranted.
The IGP stressed that officers must exercise extreme caution to prevent casualties and damage to property during crowd-control operations. Personnel assigned to anti-riot duties must be properly equipped to minimise injuries to protesters, police officers and other members of the public.
Video recording, coordination made mandatory
To strengthen accountability and facilitate the identification of individuals involved in violence, SHOs have been directed to arrange video recording of entire protests and processions, preferably through professional cameramen.
The notification further instructed DPOs to ensure proper briefings, rehearsals and reporting arrangements in the event of a law-and-order emergency, with instructions to be issued in accordance with Operational Guidelines OG-9/2013.
It also called for prior consultation and coordination among supervisory police officers and key stakeholders, including district administrations, law enforcement agencies and other relevant authorities.
The directives come amid the possibility of heightened political tension in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if the federal government moves to impose an emergency in the province.
The police guidelines seek to prepare district-level forces for potential unrest while establishing procedures for crowd management, protection of sensitive installations and action against violence.
By placing emphasis on negotiations, graduated responses and the minimum necessary use of force, the notification seeks to balance the maintenance of public order with the protection of life and property during any potential demonstrations.