The police take charge; Key huddle lifts economy, job opportunities; PSL matches confirmed for Peshawar city
Senior civil and military officials attend a meeting on KP law and order in Peshawar. Photo: Express
PESHAWAR:
A high-level security meeting in Peshawar on Tuesday laid out a roadmap for the transfer of law and order responsibilities from the army to the civilian authorities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), marking a pivotal moment in the province’s long struggle to restore stability.
The session reviewed the overall security landscape and concluded that in areas including Malakand where peace is improving operational control will be handed over to the police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and provincial law enforcement agencies.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi joined Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, federal representatives and senior civilian and military leaders at the meeting, which also addressed economic fallout from counter-terrorism operations and prolonged financial pressure on the province.
Special Assistant for Information Shafi Jan, Financial Adviser Muzammil Aslam and Law Minister Aftab Alam later briefed the media. They said the meeting took “important decisions” on both security and finance.
“In Malakand, powers are being transferred to the police, CTD and provincial law enforcement agencies,” Jan said, adding that the same process will be followed in other districts once counter-terrorism operations are completed and the situation stabilises.
They described the restoration of peace as a collective success, calling it “a great achievement of the provincial government, the civil administration and military leadership”, and said the transition reflected a clear vote of confidence in the KP police.
To consolidate gains on the ground, authorities plan to convene a meeting of stakeholders from political and religious parties along with tribal elders, with the aim of building a broader consensus and securing community support for the next phase of stabilization.
Apart from security, the meeting also discussed economic issues, with Aslam presenting a detailed account of the province’s fiscal challenges, including persistent funding shortfalls that have complicated governance in the merged tribal districts.
He said that the province’s difficulties had once again been presented to the Prime Minister, arguing that “if Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa receives its due share under the NFC [National Finance Commission] Award, several major financial problems could be solved”.
Despite reduced federal allocations, the province continues to assume responsibilities in the merged districts, meeting participants noted, warning that existing resources remain inadequate and that new proposals are now being prepared to address looming budget pressures.
It was agreed that provincial recommendations would be formally taken up with the federal government, with both sides committing to work together to ensure “maximum possible economic relief” for KP in the coming months.
The impact of operations on livelihoods was also prominent, particularly market closures that have disrupted trade in affected areas, providing assurances of alternative trade arrangements and new employment opportunities for displaced workers.
Officials said both federal and provincial governments would jointly compensate economic losses suffered by affected communities and reiterate commitments to support recovery while security operations are gradually wound down.
Law Minister Aftab Alam described the results as “important and historic decisions”, noting that a consensus had been reached in the Chief Minister’s presence to hand over responsibility in the Malakand division to the civil law enforcement.
“The process underscores institutional trust,” he said, calling it “clear proof of confidence in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police”. He confirmed the coordination between civil authorities and the military to secure fragile gains.
Cricket unexpectedly entered the discussion when provincial officials highlighted that Peshawar had been overlooked for the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) and international matches, a grievance long voiced by fans across the province.
Responding to the venue, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), assured the participants that HBL PSL matches scheduled for this year would be held in Peshawar.
Calling the announcement a “good news for cricket fans in Peshawar and KP”, Jan confirmed that the HBL PSL trophy roadshows would also tour several cities in the province and provide a symbolic boost to morale.
Looking ahead, civilian and military leaders pledged to implement recommendations from political and religious stakeholders and tribal elders, suggesting community engagement as critical to sustaining peace beyond the security handover.
The participants of the meeting further agreed that decisions taken in the Provincial Apex Committee would be secured ahead of the National Apex Committee meeting where provincial resolutions will be formally ratified.
