BY: M. Ilyas
PESHAWAR – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly is set to consider a new bill aimed at amending the KP Police Act, 2017, with significant changes intended to enhance the structure and functioning of the police force across the province. The proposed legislation, titled the KP Police (Amendment) Act, 2024, seeks to address various operational and administrative issues while emphasizing greater oversight and compliance mechanisms. The bill proposes to vest the administration of police operations in the Provincial Police Officer, who will act under the guidance and policy directives of the Chief Minister. This reflects an effort to bring the police administration under closer provincial oversight. The Provincial Public Safety Commission’s composition will be expanded from 13 to 15 members. The amendments call for seven members from the Provincial Assembly, including representation from both treasury and opposition benches, and seven independent members representing civil society, minority communities, and legal experts. The amendments seek to grant the Chief Minister greater authority over police operations. Directions from the Chief Minister regarding law and order will require immediate compliance from the police. Additionally, the posting and transfer of senior officers (BS-18 and above) will be subject to the Chief Minister’s approval. Changes will also be made to the Capital City District and District Public Safety Commissions. New nomination criteria have been introduced, including an increased role for civil society members and retired government officials. A structured framework for handling complaints against police officers has been proposed. The bill introduces different types of inquiries, such as local, supervised, directed, and independent inquiries. Independent inquiries will cover cases involving death, serious injury, or misconduct related to police actions. The bill outlines potential disciplinary actions, including improvement plans for officers, compensation for victims, and the initiation of criminal proceedings. The competent authority will determine the necessary actions based on inquiry findings. Several sections of the original Act, including sections 21, 24, 37, 57, and 58, are to be deleted. The bill also proposes amendments to various sections related to the composition of Regional Police Complaint Authorities and the appointment of commission members. The proposed amendments aim to improve accountability within the police force, ensure better public safety measures, and enhance the overall efficiency of law enforcement in the province. The bill’s passage would mark a significant shift in the governance and oversight of the police in KP.
Comments are closed.