Peshawar – Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, distributed appointment letters to 4,306 newly-recruited police constables from all eight divisions of the province, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the operational capacity and human resource base of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.
Addressing the ceremony held in Peshawar, the Chief Minister congratulated the newly inducted personnel and expressed confidence that they would uphold throughout their professional careers the same principles of merit, transparency, integrity, honesty, and dedication on which they had been recruited. He said the provincial government has institutionalized merit and transparency as the cornerstone of governance across all sectors, ensuring that appointments and public service opportunities are based solely on competence rather than political influence or nepotism.
The Chief Minister observed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and Special Branch have earned nationwide recognition for their professionalism, courage, and operational effectiveness as a direct outcome of merit-based institutional reforms.
Sohail Afride noted that the newly inducted personnel were becoming part of a distinguished institution with a proud legacy of sacrifice and public service, urging them to safeguard the honour, discipline, and traditions of the force under all circumstances. He paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police during more than two decades of frontline operations against terrorism, acknowledging the force’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens. He also honoured the sacrifices of the police martyrs, veterans, and serving personnel who have demonstrated exceptional courage in the fight against terrorism.
The Chief Minister urged the newly inducted officers to remain steadfast in the discharge of their duties, resist all forms of unlawful pressure or interference, and uphold the rule of law by prioritizing the fight against crime and terrorism. Referring to the prevailing security challenges, he remarked that terrorism had been imposed upon the province and reaffirmed the provincial government’s resolve to continue its efforts until sustainable peace is fully restored.
He emphasized that the defining characteristic of a professional police officer is respectful, impartial, and courteous engagement with citizens, coupled with an unwavering commitment to justice. He assured the participants that the provincial government would continue extending full support to strengthen the institutional capacity, welfare, and professional development of the police force.
Highlighting the recruitment of women constables, the Chief Minister welcomed the increasing participation of women in the police service and reiterated that women’s empowerment remains a key priority of the provincial government. He said that women would continue to receive equitable access to internship programmes, interest-free loan schemes, and other government initiatives to enable their meaningful contribution to the province’s socio-economic development.
Speaking on the country’s broader political environment, the Chief Minister observed that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees every citizen the right to peaceful assembly and protest. He maintained that democratic processes had repeatedly been undermined throughout the country’s constitutional history, while political actors were often made to bear the consequences.
He said that, since assuming office, he had pursued all available legal avenues in his quest for justice but had yet to receive judicial relief. Referring to the incidents of 9 May and 26 November, he said that unarmed political workers had been subjected to the use of force. He expressed concern that the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments had constrained the functioning and independence of the judicial system.
The Chief Minister also criticized the selective application of the law, stating that although the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees every citizen the right to peaceful assembly, criminal cases were routinely registered against participants in political gatherings, including minors. He expressed concern over the absence of legal accountability in incidents involving civilian casualties resulting from drone strikes.
The Chief Minister emphasized that consistent and impartial application of the law, effective access to justice, and the supremacy of the Constitution are essential prerequisites for durable peace, democratic stability, and public confidence in state institutions.
