KP Police Directed to Remain Neutral Amid PTI Protest Plans

Peshawar: Senior police officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been instructed to perform their duties strictly within their legal and geographical jurisdictions, following concerns from the federal government about the potential use of state machinery by the PTI-led provincial government for political demonstrations.

An official circular issued by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Security Division Shakir Hussain Dawar reminded police personnel that they are duty-bound to remain neutral and must not participate in any political activity. The directive reinforces existing rules prohibiting law enforcement officials from aligning with political parties or joining demonstrations and rallies.

The instructions come ahead of a planned PTI protest outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on December 2, as announced by PTI KP spokesperson Adeel Iqbal. He stated that the party has a “well-defined strategy for meeting the PTI founder” and warned that they would respond to “any unlawful actions taken against them,” adding that the days of “those violating the Constitution were numbered.”

Chief Minister KP Sohail Afridi has repeatedly been denied permission to meet the imprisoned PTI founder at Adiala Jail, with the latest refusal marking the eighth since he assumed office. After the most recent denial, Afridi spent the night outside the jail and was later joined by prominent figures including Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Mishal Yousafzai, Senators Gurdeep Singh and Rubina Naz, MNA Zulfiqar Ahmed, and KP’s Information Minister Shafi Jan.

Authorities in Islamabad have reiterated that Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code remains in effect, prohibiting protests, rallies, or public gatherings. The district administration warned that any unlawful activity would be met with immediate action, and law enforcement agencies have been placed on high alert. Citizens have been advised to avoid activities declared unlawful under Section 144.

Similarly, Section 144 has been imposed in Rawalpindi from December 1 to 3 by Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema.

Read more: Section 144 Imposed in Rawalpindi From 1–3 December 2025

Meanwhile, the sons of the former prime minister have raised concerns about his health, stating that authorities may be concealing “something irreversible” after more than three weeks without verified information regarding his condition. Kasim Khan told Reuters that despite a court-mandated right to weekly meetings, the family has not had direct contact with him, fueling speculation about a potential transfer or deterioration of health.

The PTI founder has been imprisoned since August 2023, following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.