- The DIG Security Division issues directives to KP Police personnel.
- Police were ordered to avoid participating in political activities.
- Invited to stay in their legal and geographic jurisdictions.
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police officials have been asked to perform their duties within their legal and geographical jurisdictions, amid concerns raised by the Center over the PTI-led provincial government’s use of state machinery for political protest.
In an official circular sent to senior officers across the province, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Security Division Shakir Hussain Dawar reminded police personnel that they have a duty to maintain neutrality and should not participate in any form of political activity.
The directive strengthens existing rules that prohibit members of law enforcement from aligning with a political group or joining their protests and rallies.
The instructions come amid concerns that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is attempting to use provincial police forces for political purposes, as the party plans to stage a protest outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) today.
PTI KP wing spokesperson Adeel Iqbal said the party had decided to hold the protest on December 2 (today). Talk to PK Press Club News On Saturday, he said, “This time there will be a well-defined strategy to meet the PTI founder. »
He warned that the party would respond to “any illegal action taken against it”, adding that the days of “those who violated the Constitution were numbered”.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has been repeatedly denied permission to meet the PTI founder incarcerated in Adiala jail – the latest refusal being the eighth since he assumed office. After the latest denial last week, he spent the night outside Adiala prison.
He was later joined by Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Mishal Yousafzai, Senator Gurdeep Singh, Senator Rubina Naz, MP Zulfiqar Ahmed and KP Information Minister Shafi Jan.
Following today’s protest announcement, authorities in the capital reiterated that Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code remains in force in Islamabad, prohibiting public demonstrations, rallies or gatherings. The district administration has warned that action will be taken immediately against any illegal activities.
“Police and other law enforcement agencies have been put on alert,” the statement said, adding that all security agencies would work together to maintain order. Citizens have been advised to avoid activities declared illegal under Section 144.
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema also imposed Section 144 in the city from December 1 to 3.
Meanwhile, the jailed former prime minister’s sons have expressed fears that authorities are hiding “something irreversible” about his condition after more than three weeks without any verifiable information about his well-being.
Kasim Khan said Reuters that despite the right granted by the court to weekly meetings, the family had not had direct contact with him, fueling speculation about a possible transfer to another undisclosed location or a deterioration in his state of health.
The PTI founder has been in prison since August 2023, after being removed from office by a vote of no confidence in April 2022.
