KP govt to deploy 6,000 police personnel for VIPs’ security

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to deploy more than 6,000 police officers and personnel, in the first phase, in the newly established security divisions set up for the protection of VIPs and key government buildings in the province.

Senior officials from the KP’s Home and Tribal Affairs Department informed the provincial cabinet meeting chaired by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur that a significant portion of the police force is currently performing security duty for VIPs, which is negatively impacting public safety as officials recruited for citizens’ protection were being assigned VIP duties.

The cabinet was briefed that under the Police Rules of 1934, one constable is required for every 450 people, one head constable for every 10 constables, one assistant sub-inspector (ASI) for every five head constables, and one sub-inspector for every 100 constables. However, the current deployment of police personnel for VIP security is straining the available resources and affecting the law and order situation.

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The KP Home Department officials further told the cabinet that a proposal had been submitted by the home and police departments to deploy 11,853 police personnel in the security divisions in three phases: 4,000 in 2024-25, another 4,000 in 2025-26, and 3,853 in 2026-27.

However, the KP finance department later proposed that instead of creating new posts, 5,852 existing vacant posts under the police grant be filled.

Citing limited financial resources, the finance department stressed the need to repurpose these existing posts rather than creating new ones.

The cabinet was also informed that 3,853 police personnel will be posted in the security divisions set up in Peshawar, Bannu, DI Khan, and the merged districts, while 3,550 officials will be deployed in security divisions in Malakand, Mardan, Hazara, and Kohat to provide security to VIPs and sensitive government installations. 

Sources confirmed that the provincial cabinet after a detailed deliberation approved the Home and Tribal Affairs Department’s proposal.

KP Home Department officials told HUM News English that no new posts would be created for the security of VIPs and instead, current police personnel would adjusted within the newly established security divisions.