By Aftab Hussain
SHANGLA: A new wave of hope has emerged among the youth of Shangla as senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former provincial minister Shoaib Yousafzai has formally requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to increase the age limit for police recruitment from 25 to 28 years. The request has raised expectations among hundreds of young men who have applied for police jobs but are currently facing disqualification due to the existing age criteria. According to details, Shoaib Yousafzai, who is also serving as the Central Deputy Secretary Information of PTI, met the Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Central Police Office (CPO) in Peshawar the other day. During the meeting, he formally submitted his request to grant age relaxation for police recruitment in District Shangla.
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During the discussion, Shoaib Yousafzai briefed the IGP in detail about the socio-economic conditions of Shangla, stating that the district is among the most underdeveloped areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where employment opportunities are extremely limited. He pointed out that due to the lack of respectable employment, a large number of educated young people are compelled to migrate to other cities and provinces, and in many cases are forced to work under life-threatening conditions in coal mines to earn a livelihood. He explained that prolonged unemployment has resulted in many deserving youths crossing the age of 25, which makes them ineligible under the current police recruitment rules, despite being physically fit and mentally capable of performing police duties. He emphasized that these young men possess the necessary skills, discipline, and commitment but are deprived of opportunities solely because of rigid age restrictions.
Shoaib Yousafzai demanded that special consideration be given to youths from backward districts like Shangla by granting a three-year age relaxation. He said this step would enable local youth to join the police department and serve the province and the country with dedication and professionalism. He further added that local youth are well acquainted with the geography, terrain, law and order situation, and ground realities of the area. Therefore, their induction into the police force would not only help reduce unemployment but would also strengthen public trust and cooperation between the police and the local community, ultimately contributing to improved law and order.
On this occasion, the Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa listened carefully to the request and assured Shoaib Yousafzai that the matter would be reviewed seriously in accordance with existing laws and regulations. The IGP stated that if there is legal provision to increase the age limit, the proposal would be duly considered and practical steps would be taken to implement it. At the conclusion of the meeting, Shoaib Yousafzai expressed hope that the police leadership and the government would take a positive decision keeping in view the genuine problems faced by the youth of Shangla. He said that such a move would not only provide employment opportunities to deserving young people but would also contribute significantly to strengthening peace and security across the province.
