KP CM Sohail Afridi Vows No Compromise on Law and Order

CM Laments Security Concerns Raised with PM, but Sees No Meaningful Results

March 31 Deadline Set for Launch of KP’s Safe City Projects in D.I. Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat

Rs 15.1bn Released for Police Procurement, Operational Strengthening

Govt Reiterates KP Be Declared a ‘Hard Area’ Amid Unique Security Challenges

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting on the province’s law and order situation, reaffirming that there would be no compromise on public safety and that the protection of citizens’ lives and property remained the top most priority of the provincial government.

The meeting reviewed the overall security environment, ongoing counter-terror measures, and the roadmap for strengthening policing and intelligence coordination across the province.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister paid glowing tribute to the sacrifices of the provincial police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), stating that their bravery in the frontline fight against terrorism would never be forgotten. He emphasized that recent incidents demand enhanced, smarter, and more coordinated action, directing all relevant departments to move forward under a comprehensive and clearly defined strategy.

“Our security forces are fighting terrorism on the frontline. We will not leave them at anyone’s mercy,” the Chief Minister declared, adding that the province must rely on its own capabilities and ensure effective utilization of available resources. “We have competent and dedicated manpower, and we have full confidence in them.”

Special Security Measures for Ramadan & Police Strengthening

The Chief Minister directed authorities to take special security arrangements for Khatm-ul-Quran gatherings during the holy month of Ramadan. He also ordered that vacant posts in the police department be filled on priority and strict implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) be ensured.

According to the briefing, over 9,000 recruitment tests have already been conducted in the police department, and the hiring process will be completed before Eid.

Rs15.1 Billion Released for Police Procurement

The meeting was informed that Rs15.1 billion has been released so far in the current fiscal year for police procurement and operational strengthening, underscoring the provincial government’s commitment to enhancing institutional capacity.

Safe City Projects to Expand Across KP

The meeting was told that the Safe City Project in Peshawar is ready for formal inauguration, while Safe City projects in Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, and Lakki Marwat are slated for completion by March 31.

PC-1 documents for Safe City projects in Karak, Tank, and North Waziristan have been submitted to the Home Department, while similar projects for merged districts have also been prepared and will be included in the next fiscal year’s development program. A draft of the Safe City Authority Act has likewise been forwarded to the Home Department.

In a landmark decision, the CM ordered the integration of CCTV feeds from the Excise Department, Dastak system, BRT, Local Government, and Education Department into the Safe City grid to create a unified surveillance and monitoring mechanism. The Chief Minister directed that immediate coordination meetings be held with relevant departments to operationalize the integration plan.

“Safe City is the need of the hour. However, public awareness and education are equally important to achieve the desired results,” he observed.

Policy for Artificial Limbs for Terror-Affected Personnel

The Chief Minister also directed formulation of a formal policy for provision of artificial limbs to security personnel affected by terrorism, assuring that the government would stand by those young officers who risk their lives for the nation.

KP Should Be Declared a Hard Area

Expressed frustration over the Federal Government's perceived indifference toward the province’s security crisis, the Chief Minister lamented, "We have raised the security situation at various forums, including meetings with the Prime Minister, but yielded no meaningful results, because their sole focus remains on targeting Imran Khan and PTI’s politics rather than national security issues."

He reiterated that KP should be officially declared a "Hard Area" due to its unique security challenges, vowing to take up the matter with the federal government again.

Weekly Security Review Meetings Announced

"No one is coming from the outside to save us; we must manage the situation ourselves using our own available resources," Afridi stated. To ensure constant monitoring, he announced that a weekly security review meeting will be held to track progress on counter-terrorism strategies.

The provincial government, he reiterated, remained fully committed to restoring durable peace and stability across the province and will continue to take all possible measures within available resources to safeguard its people.