Only 12pc KP police have anti-drone cover, briefing told, govt proposes artificial intelligence use to fight fake news, smart desks in 406 KP police stations
Haqnawaz shinwari
PESHAWAR
A special briefing at Governor House Peshawar on Sunday laid bare serious gaps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s security apparatus, revealing acute shortages of personnel, transport, anti-drone systems and funds for counter-terrorism infrastructure.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, provincial advisers, senior civil and police officers and media representatives attended the briefing on the province’s overall security situation, challenges and future strategy.
Adviser for Home and Tribal Affairs Kifayatullah Khan and Home Secretary Amjad Ali Khan briefed participants on the current security situation, problems faced by police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), available resources and future plans. A question-answer session followed, in which Governor Kundi, Kifayatullah Khan, Amjad Ali Khan and Additional Inspector General of Police Abbas Ahsan responded to queries.
Participants were told that during the previous government, only 3.2 per cent of the total security budget was allocated for the merged districts, while KP Police faced a shortage of 10,587 personnel and the CTD 638 personnel.
Police were facing a 36pc shortage of operational transport, while only 12pc of the force had access to anti-drone systems.
The briefing noted that a majority of the 15,186 Khassadar personnel merged into police were illiterate, posing additional challenges for training and capacity building.
It was also pointed out that release of funds for restoration of counter-terrorism infrastructure had been delayed. Of the approved Rs6.4 billion, only Rs1 billion had been released.
The briefing was informed that from 2024 to September 2026, 1,003 personnel of the armed forces, 627 policemen and 808 civilians were martyred in the war against terrorism, while in 2026 alone, till September, 255 military personnel, 302 policemen and 304 civilians were martyred. Despite difficult circumstances, security forces killed 3,788 terrorists during the last three years.
Regarding future security plans, it was stated that under the “Mazboot Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” plan, a target of allocating Rs70 billion for security had been set, including Rs59.8bn for police and Rs10.3bn for CTD, as against a total of Rs98bn spent on security over the past 10 years.
Under the plan, police fortification capacity would be raised to 75pc, surveillance capacity from 15pc to 60pc and night operation capacity from 18pc to 50pc. Similarly, police anti-drone capability would be increased from 1pc to 50pc, CTD vehicles’ armour capacity from 16pc to 70pc and availability of jammers from 3pc to 50pc, while CTD’s jurisdiction would be expanded to 34 districts.
The briefing said District Narrow Centres and Safe Cities Authority would be established in 10 districts, while police personnel shortage would be reduced from 15pc to 5pc.
A proposal to establish faceless anti-terrorism courts for effective and speedy justice in terrorism cases and protection of witnesses was also presented. Plans to use artificial intelligence to counter false narratives on social media and to set up smart front desks in 406 police stations in major cities were also shared.
It was decided to hold dispute resolution councils, tribal liaison committees, monthly open courts and regular jirgas in all districts for maintenance of law and order and local resolution of public issues.
A proposal for a substantial increase in the martyrs’ package and security challenge allowance to keep the morale of security forces high was also presented.
The briefing identified improving the province’s security situation, enhancing capacity of police and CTD, use of modern technology and effective coordination among institutions as key points of the future strategy.
