Approves the establishment of the special department as a separate specialized unit, creation of 1,221 new positions
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi. Photo: File
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has approved a number of key administrative and operational improvements for the Special Branch of the Police, aimed at modernizing the unit and strengthening the province’s intelligence and counter-terrorism capabilities.
Chairing a high-level meeting in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, CM Afridi approved the creation of the special department as a separate specialized unit and gave in-principle approval for the creation of 1,221 new posts. A substantial financial package was also sanctioned to strengthen the unit’s operational capacity, including Rs1,820 million for infrastructure development and construction of new buildings, and Rs904.7 million for procurement of 98 vehicles and 404 motorcycles.
In addition, Rs2,543.9 million will be allocated for advanced technical equipment, surveillance systems and other intelligence tools. The Chief Minister directed that proposed allowances to the Special Branch personnel be given high priority, underscoring the vital role of the police in the fight against terrorism. New buildings for the unit will also be established across the province.
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During the briefing, officials highlighted the Special Branch’s key responsibilities, including intelligence gathering, security assessments, verifications, investigations and surveillance. In particular, 308 personnel from the merged districts have been integrated into the force. In 2025, Special Branch neutralized two suicide jackets, 32 IEDs, 70 rocket-propelled grenades and 288 hand grenades, preventing more terrorist attacks.
The unit also provided security for 635 political gatherings and conducted extensive verifications, including 3,124 NADRA checks, 6,840 passport verifications, 14,518 CPEC-related verifications, 6,060 personal verifications and 9,413 official employee verifications.
CM Afridi reiterated that all necessary resources would be made available without delay to enhance the professional capacity of the Special Branch.
