ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced that it will challenge the amended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act in the Supreme Court, with Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry criticizing the changes introduced by the provincial government.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Chaudhry said the amended law had only recently been approved by the provincial cabinet and urged the KP government to reconsider its decision.
He said the federal government had several options regarding the amended Police Act and confirmed that the legislation would be challenged before the Supreme Court.
Chaudhry alleged that the KP government had not merely reduced the powers of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) but had affected the overall command structure of the police. He also alleged that the proposed legislation reflected political involvement in police affairs.
ALSO READ: ANP Criticises Proposed Amendments to KP Police Act, Warns of Legal Challenge
The minister further criticized the provincial government over the security situation in KP, saying the province had been fighting terrorism for 15 to 20 years while its Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) was still operating from rented buildings.
Commenting on reports of road closures in Islamabad, Chaudhry said all 125 routes leading into the federal capital were open.
The KP cabinet had approved the new Police Act a day earlier. Under the approved changes, the provincial government would have a greater role in police postings and transfers. The government would also be able to seek additional names from the federal government for consideration if it was not satisfied with the performance of the IGP.
The proposed changes have prompted a dispute between the federal and provincial governments, with the federal government now preparing to challenge the amended law in the Supreme Court.
