Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Security Plan: Rs70 Billion for Police and CTD

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will get Rs70 billion a year for police and the Counter-Terrorism Department under a new security plan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on the law and order situation in the province during a meeting in Lahore. The meeting took place at Jati Umra, and the two leaders also discussed the political situation and other matters of national importance.

According to state-run APP, the prime minister apprised the party president of the government's ongoing economic reforms. He also spoke about the challenges being faced and the measures being taken. The two leaders discussed ways to further improve the national economy. The briefing on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa came as the provincial set-up unveiled a new plan to intensify the war against terrorism in the province.

The federal government imposed emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa weeks ago. It cited the provincial government's deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism. The PML-N leadership has defended the decision. The prime minister said the federal government was compelled to take the step because of security concerns. The party president argued that the intervention should have come much earlier.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: The New Security Plan

To intensify the war against terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial set-up has announced plans to establish faceless anti-terrorism courts. KP Home Secretary Amjad Ali Khan said witnesses in terrorism cases were reluctant to come forward because of security concerns. He said the amendment to set up faceless anti-terrorism courts has recently been sent. Through this, not just the protection of witnesses, but that of prosecutors and judges will also be ensured.

Mr Khan accused the now-dysfunctional PTI-backed provincial government of lacking political ownership. He said the armed forces and police had rendered many sacrifices, while the administration failed to own them. He said foreign policy was the federal government's domain. The federal government had formulated an Afghan policy in the country's interest. But the former set-up continued with a contrary one while inciting people against security forces.

Governor Kundi emphasised that the provincial administration's priority is restoring peace and strengthening the police force. He noted that police are at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. They must be adequately equipped. Pointing out the past lack of political ownership, Mr Kundi questioned what families of martyrs would say when political leaders disowned the war against terrorism.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Rs70 Billion for Police and CTD

Mr Khan announced that the current set-up will spend Rs70 billion annually on police and the CTD. Police would receive Rs59.8 billion and the CTD Rs10.3 billion. The funds will be split between infrastructure and procurement. The spending is meant to close gaps that have left the province exposed to militant attacks.

He said surveillance capacity would rise to 60 percent for police and by 70 percent for the CTD. Police counter-aerial threat capacity would rise from 1 percent to 50 percent. Air strikes would rise from 18 percent to 50 percent. Vehicle armour would rise by 45 percent. Jammer availability would reach 50 percent, and CTD counter-drone capability would reach 60 percent.

To strengthen police capacity, Mr Khan said sensitive police stations were being fortified. The Safe City project is being extended. Anti-drone systems are being established in Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu. District Nerve Centres are being set up in 10 districts. Satellite systems will cover remote areas, with artificial intelligence monitoring social media. Personnel are receiving anti-drone and sniper training.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Why the Plan Was Needed

The home secretary stated that only 3.2 percent of the budget was allocated for security in the merged districts. He termed it insufficient funding for police and the CTD. Although raised in 2014, the CTD had purpose-built infrastructure in only 12 districts. SWAT teams and counter-drone systems were operating at an inadequate 12 percent capacity.

Mr Khan said the province has suffered significant losses over the past two or three years. In that period, 1,003 personnel of the armed forces were martyred. Another 627 police personnel were killed, and 808 civilian casualties occurred. During the same period, 3,788 terrorists were gunned down. The figures show the scale of the violence that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has faced.

Mr Khan added that kinetic operations will be scaled up through intelligence-based operations. Area sanitisation, facilitator arrests, Fourth-Schedule re-verifications, and Rapid Response Force mobilisation are part of the plan. Crackdowns on other criminal activities will continue alongside the anti-terrorism operations.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: The Political Context

Governor Kundi noted that even political figures like Maulana Fazlur Rehman face restricted movement in some areas. He said intelligence-based operations were necessary. Mr Kundi said the current set-up's stance was clear. Decisions and policies would be made in Islamabad rather than Kabul, Kandahar or Jalalabad.

He accused Afghanistan of facilitating India and Israel in using its territory against Pakistan. He stated that Islamabad has repeatedly raised concerns internationally, but Kabul has not budged an inch. He said it is very clear that whoever does not accept the state, Constitution and laws, cannot be engaged in dialogue. Anyone who takes up arms against the state cannot be offered dialogue, and will be responded to accordingly. He stressed that public support remains essential.

On funding, Mr Kundi admitted the centre might not have paid 100 percent of the promised Rs100 billion annually for the merged districts. But he said the set-up is fighting for it. The funding question remains part of the wider debate about the province's security needs.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new security plan for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

The plan gives Rs70 billion a year to police and the CTD in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It includes faceless anti-terrorism courts, fortified police stations, anti-drone systems and more intelligence-based operations.

How much money will police and the CTD get?

Police will receive Rs59.8 billion and the CTD Rs10.3 billion each year. The funds will be split between infrastructure and procurement.

What are faceless anti-terrorism courts?

They are courts where witnesses, prosecutors and judges are protected from identification. The home secretary said witnesses were reluctant to come forward because of security concerns.

When was emergency and governor's rule imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

The federal government imposed emergency and governor's rule weeks ago. It cited the provincial government's deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism.

How many people have been killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent years?

Over the past two or three years, 1,003 armed forces personnel, 627 police personnel and 808 civilians were killed. During the same period, 3,788 terrorists were gunned down.