KP IG warns RPOs against political involvement

PESHAWAR: Ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced protest on November 24, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Inspector General of Police (IG) Akhtar Hayat Gandapur has instructed Regional Police Officers (RPOs) to stay away from political activities.

In a directive issued to RPOs, the KP IG emphasized that police officials must not participate in political activities.

Earlier KP Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry had also written to provincial administration and police officers, urging them to follow only constitutional orders from political leadership.

He further called on public servants to act with integrity, justice, and neutrality, emphasizing their responsibility to uphold public trust and work towards the greater good of Pakistan.

PTI protests cost govt Rs2.7 billion in 18 months

Hours earlier, the Ministry of Interior had also advised the KP administration to ensure no state machinery, personnel, or resources were used to support political protests.

The move comes in light of the PTI-led KP government’s past use of police personnel during Islamabad protests.

In October, several Rescue 1122 workers and KP policemen were arrested in Islamabad for participating in the PTI’s protest at D-Chowk.