The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet has given its approval to the draft Police Act 2026, which introduces significant modifications to the appointment process of the provincial police chief and expands the provincial government’s control over police policy, operations, and finances.
the proposed legislation, the federal government will nominate a panel of three officers for the position of inspector general of police (IGP). However, the provincial government will have the discretion to select one candidate from the panel or reject all three nominees entirely.
Additionally, the draft transfers authority over the transfers and postings of regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) to the chief minister and the Home Department. Financial responsibilities related to the police budget will be managed by the finance department.
The provincial cabinet’s approval followed revisions to an earlier draft, incorporating suggestions from police authorities, as stated by Information Minister Shafi Jan, though specific details of these amendments were not disclosed.
This new legislation is intended to replace the Police Act 2017, which was enacted during former chief minister Pervez Khattak’s tenure. The draft is slated for presentation to the provincial assembly in its upcoming session for formal ratification.
In a significant development, the provincial government has framed this law as a revision of the existing police governance framework. While the move aims to enhance provincial oversight, it has sparked debate among critics and supporters regarding its impact on police autonomy versus government control.
The Police Act 2017 was originally introduced to establish a legal foundation for police reforms and to strengthen institutional mechanisms within the force. The new draft seeks to build upon and modify this framework to better align with current governance priorities.
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