No roads have been closed in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said, while expressing concerns over the proposed Police Act in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), alleging that the legislation would weaken police authority and increase political interference in the province’s law enforcement system.
Speaking to the media, Talal Chaudhry said the proposed legislation sought to limit the powers of the Inspector General (IG) of Police and undermine the existing command structure.
He alleged that the changes went beyond merely withdrawing the IG’s powers and had effectively dismantled the entire chain of command within the provincial police force.
“The IG’s powers were not just taken back, they destroyed the structure,” Chaudhry said, criticising the proposed amendments.
He also questioned the role of the provincial government in shaping the legislation, alleging that the chief minister was attempting to bring authority under his personal control and that of his political party.
Chaudhry said political interference was clearly visible in the proposed Police Act, raising concerns about the independence of the police force and its ability to function without political influence.
He further questioned the proposed arrangements for police appointments, asking whether the IG and Superintendents of Police (SPs) would be allowed to make appointments according to their own preferences.
“If the IG and SP post according to their own wishes, will they recruit from their own home?” he asked, raising questions about the proposed appointment system.
The minister also expressed concerns about the future organisational structure of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, questioning whether the force would retain a clear chain of command under the proposed legislation.
He said the proposed changes could undermine the authority of police officials and affect the overall functioning of the provincial law enforcement system.
Chaudhry also referred to the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, stating that provinces had been granted specific powers under the constitutional framework.
He said the proposed Police Act had raised concerns about the distribution of authority and the extent of political influence over the police force.
His remarks come amid debate over the proposed legislation and its potential implications for police administration and institutional autonomy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.