KP govt’s U-turn: provincial assembly passes revised police amendment bill

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has taken a significant U-turn on the Police Amendment Bill 2024, retracting the version passed by the provincial assembly just a week ago. In its place, a revised Police Amendment Bill 2024 has now been approved by the provincial assembly.

Under the newly passed bill, the posting and transfer of police officers will be carried out by the chief minister through the police department, rather than the Home and Tribal Affairs Department as outlined in the previous bill.

Additionally, the Provincial Complaint Authority, which was established to handle complaints against the police under the previous amendment, has been removed. In its place, the Provincial Public Safety Commission will be revived with the number of its membership increased from 13 to 15.

According to the new bill, the Public Safety Commission will consist of seven members from the provincial assembly and seven independent members appointed by the government, with the advocate general also serving as a member.

Sources said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police officers had expressed concerns over the previous bill, particularly about the role of the home department and the additional chief secretary in officer transfers and postings.

Also read: Draft bill seeking changes to Police Act 2017 presented in KP assembly

The police had opposed the involvement of civil bureaucracy in these matters, and had communicated their reservations to both the chief minister and the provincial assembly speaker. This led the government to introduce the revised bill.

Speaking to HUM News English, Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam explained that both police officers and opposition members of the assembly had raised concerns about amendments made to the Police Act 2017.

As a result, he said, the government decided to pass a new police amendment bill to address those concerns.

In his speech in the KP Assembly, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that the amendment would help address public grievances and resolve complaints related to the police.

He acknowledged the sacrifices made by the police for maintaining peace in the province and assured that efforts were being made to provide relief to police officers and personnel.

However, he emphasized that resolving public issues and complaints was also a core responsibility of the government.

On Monday, PTI MPA Akbar Ayub presented the new Police Amendment Bill 2024 as a private member’s bill, which was subsequently passed by the provincial assembly.