Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has completed the recruitment of 4,306 police constables from all eight divisions of the province in a move aimed at increasing the force’s manpower and operational capacity, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Wednesday.
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi distributed appointment orders among the newly recruited constables and urged them to uphold merit, integrity and honesty throughout their careers.
Afridi said the provincial government was giving priority to transparent recruitment in line with the vision of PTI founder Imran Khan.
“You have been recruited on merit, and I hope you will maintain the same standards of integrity and honesty in your professional lives,” he told the recruits.
The chief minister said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, Counter Terrorism Department and Special Branch had earned a strong reputation because of their professional performance.
He said the new constables were joining a force with a long history of service and sacrifice and should protect its honour, dignity and traditions.
Afridi paid tribute to police personnel who have fought militancy in the province for more than two decades.
He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police had remained on the front line of the fight against terrorism and had made “unparalleled sacrifices” over the past 22 years.
The chief minister directed the recruits not to bow to political pressure or outside interference and said combating crime and terrorism should remain their top priorities.
“Terrorism was imposed on us, and we will continue to fight it until peace is fully restored,” he said.
Afridi also urged the new personnel to deal with citizens politely, respectfully and fairly, saying public conduct was a defining quality of a good police officer.
He assured the force of continued support from the provincial government and said steps would be taken to improve its capacity and working conditions.
The chief minister welcomed the recruitment of women constables and said their inclusion would strengthen the force.
He said women would be given an equal share in internship programmes, interest-free loan schemes and other provincial government initiatives.
Afridi also used the occasion to comment on political and constitutional issues.
He said the Constitution guaranteed every citizen the right to peaceful protest and alleged that political workers had faced excessive use of force during the May 9 and Nov. 26 incidents.
He further claimed that criminal cases were being registered over political rallies and that even minors had been named in some cases.
The chief minister also criticised recent constitutional amendments, alleging they had weakened the courts and limited access to justice.
He said he had approached legal forums after assuming office but had not received relief.
Reporter: Malik Rahman