Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has strongly reaffirmed the provincial government's unwavering commitment to completely eliminating terrorism from the region, announcing substantial emergency investments to fortify the police force and enhance the counter-terrorism apparatus. Speaking at a high-profile ceremony held at Police Lines Peshawar on Friday, Afridi highlighted the incumbent administration's aggressive and comprehensive support for law enforcement agencies in their ongoing battle against extremism.
Major Security Equipment Handover and Financial Allocations
During the ceremony, a significant array of advanced security equipment was formally handed over to the police force. This included bulletproof vehicles, modern sub-machine guns (SMGs), bulletproof jackets and helmets, sniper rifles, and heavy motorcycles specifically designated for traffic police operations. The Chief Minister emphasized that these resources are crucial for enhancing operational effectiveness and ensuring officer safety in high-risk environments.
Substantial Financial Commitments to Security Enhancement
Afridi detailed the provincial government's substantial financial commitments made since taking office, aimed at strengthening security infrastructure across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa:
- An allocation of Rs7.7 billion has been dedicated to fortifying the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), enabling enhanced operational capabilities and intelligence gathering.
- A comprehensive package worth Rs7.2 billion has been approved for the Special Branch, focusing on modernization and capacity building.
- Funds amounting to Rs6.5 billion have been released to upgrade security infrastructure and police capabilities in the merged districts, addressing unique challenges in these areas.
- An additional grant of Rs3.8 billion has been sanctioned to expand the Safe Cities project from Peshawar to all divisional headquarters and the merged tribal areas, improving surveillance and emergency response systems.
"CTD and Special Branch are being further reinforced through fresh recruitments and infrastructure upgrades," Afridi declared during his address, underscoring the multi-faceted approach being adopted.
Political Vision and Tribute to Police Sacrifices
The Chief Minister emphasized that these security measures align with the vision of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, under which the police force has been shielded from political interference to focus squarely on professional duties. He paid glowing tribute to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police, noting their two-decade-long frontline battle against terrorism and the immense sacrifices they have made to protect citizens and maintain order.
"For over 20 years, our police have stood firm without flinching. Regrettably, a certain mindset in federal leadership failed to recognize these sacrifices," he stated, adding that the provincial government stands solidly behind its force and prioritizes fulfilling all their operational and welfare needs. Afridi expressed optimism that, with divine grace and continued efforts, the province would soon be free from the scourge of terrorism, paving the way for sustained peace and development.
