The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government plans to provide Rs70 billion to the police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) this year, and it intends to set up faceless courts for the trial of terrorism suspects. Provincial Home Secretary Amjad Ali Khan announced the KP police budget and the court plan at a press conference in Peshawar on Sunday. The CTD is the provincial unit that handles counterterrorism work.
Where the money will go
Khan said Rs59.8 billion has been earmarked for improving police infrastructure, while Rs10.3 billion is for the CTD. Within the KP police budget, most of the money therefore goes to infrastructure, and the CTD receives the smaller share. He also said a plan has been prepared to raise the CTD's capacity from 12% to 37%.
On staffing, Khan said the shortage of personnel in the police force currently stands at 15%, and the target is to reduce it to 5%. He said the previous provincial government, which was backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had allocated Rs6.4 billion for 22 districts but released only Rs1 billion. He added that the federal and provincial governments now share the same approach to counterterrorism.
Faceless courts and the proposed law
Khan's announcement followed a briefing to a high-level meeting attended by the KP governor, advisers, the chief secretary, secretaries of all departments and senior police officers. That briefing said faceless anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) are being set up for the trial of terrorists. Under the plan, the identities of judges, witnesses, police personnel and other relevant people would remain confidential during hearings, to protect them from threats posed by militants or their networks.
Legislation for this system is being introduced. Parties in these cases will still have the right to appeal a decision before the High Court.
Security and local dispute resolution
Khan also announced more intelligence-based operations and action against individuals who provide support to terrorists. Anti-drone systems are being installed in Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu to strengthen security arrangements, he said.
On public services, the government decided to strengthen police engagement with the public and the system for resolving disputes at the local level. Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) and liaison committees in tribal areas will be made functional and strengthened, and the jirga, a traditional council of elders that settles disputes, will be promoted. A further 400 police facilitation smart desks will be set up so citizens can access police services and register complaints.
Aasan alfaaz mein
KP hukumat ne is saal police aur CTD ke liye Rs70 billion dene ka elaan kiya hai. Is mein se Rs59.8 billion police ki infrastructure behtar karne par lagen ge aur Rs10.3 billion CTD ke liye hain. Dehshatgardi ke muqadmon mein gawahon aur judges ki pehchan chhupi rakhne ke liye faceless ATCs banane ka mansooba hai. Aam shehri ke liye 400 police smart desks shikayat darj karwane mein madad denge.
