Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed briefed members of the provincial assembly on the prevailing security situation, exposing deep-rooted financial and administrative challenges confronting the force.
According to the briefing, the total strength of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police stands at approximately 130,000 personnel. However, between 20 to 30 percent of these officers are deployed for the protection of VIPs and senior officials—leaving only about 80,000 personnel actively available for counterterrorism and crime-control operations across the province.
The IGP candidly admitted that under the current circumstances, it is impossible to fully contain terrorism without the assistance of the military. He pointed out that the police are facing acute shortages of vehicles, office infrastructure, and essential operational facilities. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), he added, remains severely understaffed and underfunded, lacking both advanced training and access to modern technology.
In a striking observation, the IGP noted that the funds allocated to the police are so limited that “the amount isn’t even sufficient to build a single kilometer of road.” The briefing underscored the dire need for immediate resource augmentation, modernization, and technical support if law enforcement is to effectively restore peace and order in the province.
Participants of the meeting reportedly reached a consensus that without equipping the police with sufficient resources, technology, and manpower, improving security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will remain an uphill battle. Lawmakers urged the provincial government to take urgent and concrete measures to address the police department’s growing crisis.
