KP approves Rs1.29b for police arms, armoured vehicles

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved Rs1.929 billion for the purchase of 4,000 Chinese-made short machine guns (SMGs), and 10 upgraded armoured vehicles for the police force, sources revealed on Wednesday.

According to the sources, the decision aimed at countering militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the southern districts by empowering the provincial police force. 

Sources further said that during the recent provincial cabinet meeting, officials from the Home and Tribal Department presented the case for procuring modern weapons for the police.

They informed the cabinet that the government had initially decided to purchase 7,182 AK-103 rifles at a cost of Rs733 million from a well-known local arms manufacturer, with an advance payment already made. 

However, the manufacturer reportedly failed to deliver the rifles on time. After consultations with various stakeholders, the government opted to procure 4,000 Chinese-made SMGs instead, maintaining the same budget of Rs733 million. 

Additionally, the cabinet approved the purchase of upgraded armoured vehicles for southern districts to better tackle militant threats. However, it noted that the cost of the upgraded models has reached Rs1.196 billion, replacing the previous procurement plan for 10 standard armoured vehicles.

Earlier, on Monday, the KP Assembly approved a bill to sack 10,000 government employees hired during the caretaker government’s tenure from Jan 22, 2023, to Feb 29, 2024.

Under the new law, employees hired during this period will be dismissed, and all financial benefits previously granted to them will be revoked.

The new law will pose no threat to the jobs of those recruited through the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission (KPPSC), judicial orders, or specific quotas. 

Moreover, a committee will be formed under the headship of the Secretary Establishment to address any complications arising during the dismissal process.

On the occasion, Opposition MPA Ahmad Khan Kundi of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) criticized the move, accusing the PTI-led government of creating unemployment instead of providing jobs.

He argued that action should be taken against the officials responsible for these alleged illegal recruitments rather than punishing employees. 

In reply, Aftab Alam said although the caretaker government did not have the mandate to make recruitments, it hired 10,000 employees unlawfully, making it necessary for the incumbent KP government to introduce the dismissal bill.