The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet has approved the proposed Police Act 2026, introducing major changes to the province’s police command structure, senior appointments, transfers and policymaking powers.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. The proposed law would increase the provincial government’s role in police administration and transfer several powers currently exercised by the inspector general of police to the chief minister and other provincial authorities.
Under the proposed framework, the federal government would send a panel of eligible officers to the provincial government for appointment as KP inspector general of police. The provincial government would select the IGP and issue the appointment notification. If dissatisfied with the officer’s performance, it could seek additional names from the federal government.
In the absence of the IGP, the additional inspector general of police headquarters would assume acting charge.
The draft also proposes changes to the posting and transfer system for senior police officers. The chief minister would have a role in the appointment and transfer of regional police officers and district police officers, while transfers and postings of senior officers would come under greater provincial government oversight.
The chief minister would also chair the Police Policy Board under the proposed law. Police policies, priorities and annual planning would consequently come under an expanded provincial government role.
The draft further proposes giving the chief minister authority over operational, administrative and financial policies of the police department, subject to the framework set by the provincial government.
Changes have also been proposed in the way police respond to legal proceedings. Under the draft, police would not directly submit replies in court or other legal matters without approval. Responses would first require clearance from the provincial Law Department and the Advocate General’s Office.
The proposed changes come amid differences between the provincial government and police leadership over administrative matters. The KP government had also sought the transfer of IGP Zulfiqar Hameed last month and forwarded names to the federal government for his possible replacement, according to earlier reports.
Tensions also surfaced during proceedings in the Islamabad High Court over PTI’s planned Sept. 27 long march. The KP police chief submitted an affidavit and gave an undertaking that police would prevent illegal and unconstitutional activity and disperse protesters if they engaged in unlawful conduct. The KP advocate general subsequently distanced the provincial government from the undertaking.
Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam has said the government’s objective is to strengthen checks and balances and improve the functioning of the police system, rather than reduce police powers. Senior police officers, however, have reportedly raised reservations about some of the proposed changes and their potential impact on police autonomy.
The cabinet’s approval relates to the proposed legislation. The draft will still require passage through the provincial legislature before becoming law.