ISLAMABAD, September 24 — The federal government has announced it will challenge the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act 2026 in the Supreme Court, with Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry raising serious objections over proposed changes to the province’s police command structure.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday, Chaudhry said the proposed legislation had so far only been approved by the KP cabinet and urged the provincial government to reconsider it before taking the process further.
He maintained that provinces could not create a separate army or police structure or unilaterally change the fundamental rules governing the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP).
Chaudhry said the federal government had constitutional and legal options available and would challenge the disputed legislation in the Supreme Court if it proceeded.
He alleged that the proposed amendments would curtail the powers of the Inspector General of Police and undermine the existing command-and-control structure of the force.
The minister claimed the proposed framework would increase political influence over appointments and transfers from the rank of DSP to IGP.
He questioned how police could effectively fight terrorism if its professional command structure was weakened and officers became dependent on political authorities for key administrative decisions.
Chaudhry said provincial chief ministers already possessed powers relating to general consultation and directions over police appointments, but argued that dismantling the force’s basic command structure would be unconstitutional.
Referring to the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said the province had been confronting terrorism for nearly two decades but its Counter Terrorism Department continued to operate from rented buildings and lacked necessary resources.
Responding to claims made by the provincial leadership against the federal government, Chaudhry questioned why the provincial government remained in office if it considered itself unable to exercise its authority.
He also rejected reports concerning road closures and the law-and-order situation in the federal capital, saying all 125 routes leading into Islamabad were open and available for traffic.
The KP cabinet has approved the proposed Police Act 2026, which seeks to expand the provincial government’s authority over policy, administrative, operational and financial matters involving the police.
Under the proposed framework, the federal government would send a panel of three officers for appointment as the provincial police chief. The provincial government would be able to select one of the nominees or reject the entire panel.