Talal Chaudhry Raises Concerns Over Proposed KP Police Act 2026

Islamabad – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said the Talal Chaudhry KP Police Act 2026 debate is far from over, and that the proposed law will be challenged in the Supreme Court.

He spoke at a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday. His comments came a day after the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet, led by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, approved the revised police law.

The cabinet had changed some parts of the draft after members raised objections. Even so, the federal government is not satisfied with the final version.

Chaudhry said courts have already looked at issues like transfers, postings and the powers of police chiefs. He believes this new law will also end up in front of judges.

He said the new law could hurt the police command structure, discipline and morale. In his view, this could also weaken the force in its fight against terrorism.

The minister agreed that policing is a provincial subject after the 18th Amendment. But he said provinces must still work within the Constitution and the rules that govern the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP).

He gave a simple example. Just as a province cannot form its own army, railway or navy, it cannot pass a law that overrides PSP rules.

According to him, courts have supported these rules many times, so a provincial law cannot simply set them aside.

Chaudhry said the new law cuts the powers of the inspector general. It also affects the wider chain of command in the force.

He said the power to appoint and post officers from DSP rank and above has been moved away from senior police officers. Officers in grades 17, 18 and 19 are now under more control of the provincial government.

The minister said the chief minister already has the right to consult and give directions on transfers. But he said these powers were kept limited on purpose, to protect discipline and independent decisions.

He also asked a direct question. If the role of PSP officers is reduced, how will posts in grades 19 to 22 be filled? He said the province must explain its plan.

The minister spoke about the problems KP Police face every day. He said the force needs better resources, equipment and buildings more than changes in command.

He said KP police officers get lower salaries than police in some other provinces. Compensation for martyrs is also lower, he added.

Chaudhry pointed out that the Counter Terrorism Department in KP works from rented buildings. Some of these buildings were attacked by terrorists in the past, and police personnel and civilians lost their lives.

He compared this with Punjab, where border check posts have protective structures, cameras, bulletproof vehicles and safety gear.

He said the provincial government is responsible for giving the police money and support. In his words, the force should be strengthened first, before its command system is changed.

The minister also criticised the plan for police liaison committees. He asked why such committees were not created under the 2017 law if they were so important.

He said the committees would have only members of the provincial assembly. There would be no place for opposition members, civil society, journalists or retired police officers.

At the end of his talk, Chaudhry said the federation checks every issue through the Constitution and the law. He asked the province to think carefully, because KP is still facing serious terrorism threats.

The KP government has not yet replied to these remarks in the report. The next step will depend on whether the matter reaches the Supreme Court.