Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed has expressed reservations over the proposed Police Act 2026, saying that transferring the administrative, financial and operational powers of the police to the chief minister under the new law would affect the autonomy of the police force.

According to official sources, the KP police chief conveyed his concerns during a meeting of the committee examining the proposed Police Act. Sources said the IG maintained that the implementation of the proposed law could increase political interference and influence in the police department, while the transfer of administrative, financial and operational powers would effectively render the office of the IGP powerless.

Under the proposed act, the chief minister would have the authority to appoint and transfer police officers from Grade 17 to Grade 21, including DSPs, DPOs, DIGs, Regional Police Officers and Additional IGs.

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The proposed law also states that the federal government would send names of police officers to the chief minister for the appointment of the KP IGP. The chief minister would then approve the appointment of one of the officers as the police chief. According to sources, if no agreement is reached on any of the names, the chief minister could ask the federal government to send three more names.

Official sources said that under the proposed act, the chief minister would also head the Police Policy Board instead of the IGP, while prior approval from the chief minister would be required for police operations.

According to sources, the IGP told the meeting that the purpose of introducing the Police Act 2017 was to empower the police and end political interference. However, he said the implementation of the proposed Police Act 2026 would undermine the autonomy of the police force. He further maintained that transferring the IGP's powers to the political leadership could also have negative effects on the law and order situation.

Official sources said the Peshawar High Court had already struck down certain amendments related to the withdrawal of powers from the IGP.

Meanwhile, KP Law Minister Aftab Alam said the government was improving the police system and strengthening checks and balances to prevent the misuse of powers.

Aftab Alam said police powers were not being curtailed but the system was being further improved. He said the chief minister had given the committee full authority to introduce improvements to the police system.

The law minister said meetings had already been held with police officers and the chief minister would also be briefed on the matter.