PESHAWAR: A three-member delegation of the Peace and Justice Network (PJN), under the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Deliver Justice Programme, met with Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, at the Central Police Office in Peshawar to discuss reforms and strengthening of the province’s Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs). According to an official statement, the delegation included UNDP Representative Salma Zeb, PJN Chief Executive Syed Raza Ali, and Advocate Nida Khan, Adviser to the Rule of Law (PJN). Also present were DIG Crimes Investigation and Provincial Focal Person for DRCs, Dr. Quraish Khan, and AIG Operations Muhammad Waqas Khan. DLP Report
During the meeting, the PJN team briefed the IGP on their collaborative efforts with UNDP to support police capacity building and restructure DRCs for improved efficiency.
They highlighted recent provincial-level consultation workshops held in Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, and Mardan aimed at gathering feedback for strengthening the system.
IGP Zulfiqar Hameed informed the delegation that separate women’s desks have been established at most police stations across the province to address women’s issues more effectively.
He added that the KP Police was actively promoting community policing, and conflict resolution councils have been formed at the police station level in most areas to help mediate and resolve minor disputes within communities.
“These councils are increasingly being welcomed by the public as a practical and accessible mechanism for resolving everyday conflicts,”* the IGP stated.
The PJN delegation appreciated the police reforms, particularly the expansion of community-based dispute resolution.
They proposed a province-wide reorganization of the DRCs to further strengthen their role and functionality.
The delegation also recommended organizing targeted training and capacity-building sessions for DRC members to improve their effectiveness.
The meeting concluded with the delegation thanking IGP Zulfiqar Hameed and Dr. Quraish Khan for their receptiveness and constructive dialogue.
The delegation emphasized the growing importance of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in the current era, where court systems are overburdened.
