Daily Times

Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, has issued directives to Regional Police Officers (RPOs) to ensure that the provincial police force does not engage in political activities.

In an official letter, the IG emphasized that RPOs must strictly prohibit police personnel from participating in political gatherings, rallies, or protests. The letter explicitly stated that KP police should maintain its neutrality and not become involved in any political campaigns or events.

The directive also warned that any violation of these orders would lead to departmental action against the personnel involved.

The step of the IGP was seen as an effort to uphold the professional integrity of the police force and maintain its impartiality and professionalism in a politically charged environment.

Job Quota: As per the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has eliminated job quota for the legal heirs of civil servants in all government jobs.

A notification issued here by the provincial establishment department, said that the apex court had declared the appointment of the widow, widower, spouse, child of a civil servant in different grades on a contract or regular basis without open advertisement, competition and merit a violation of articles 3, 4, 5(2), 18, 25(1) and 27 of the constitution of Pakistan.

It further noted that the court ordered federal and provincial governments to withdraw all policies, rules and procedures related to the appointment of the legal heirs of a civil servant in different grades, who dies during service or becomes permanently disabled, invalidated or incapacitated for further services and take retirement. The notification said that in light of the order of the Supreme Court the provincial government had directed all the departments to strictly comply with the orders of the court and ensure appointments based on open advertisement, competition and merit. It however, clarified that the order of the court would not affect the policies, rules or compensation packages of the provincial government for the benefit of the legal heirs of martyred personnel of law enforcement agencies and civil servants who die due to terrorist activities.

Diphteria: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Health Advisor, Ihtesham Ali on Friday said that adequate supplies of anti-diphtheria serum were available across the province and urged parents to take their children to the nearest healthcare centres for vaccination.

Responding to media reports on the worsening diphtheria outbreak in the province, he emphasised the critical need for vaccination to control the situation.

In a statement, Ihtesham shared that a comprehensive report on the outbreak had been presented to raise awareness among the public and media about the severity of the disease. He stressed that the situation could be brought under control unless parents ensure their children were vaccinated against diphtheria and 11 other preventable diseases. The health advisor also disclosed that 26 deaths had been reported across the province due to diphtheria this year, adding that the disease’s rapid transmission from one child to another could aggravate the situation.

He urged parents to immediately vaccinate their children and maintain social distancing as key measures to curb the spread. Earlier, the health department in its report revealed that 383 cases of diphtheria had been recorded this year across from 228 union councils in 27 districts of the province. Alarmingly, 91 percent of the affected children had not received the diphtheria vaccine, it said and added that the outbreak had occurred 27 times this year in districts including Peshawar, Mardan, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Kohat, Charsadda, Haripur, and Swabi, with 75 percent of affected children being over five years old.

Agreements with Hospitals: DIG Welfare Muhammad Kashif Mushtaq Kanju has directed the heads of Dera region to ink agreements with best hospitals in their respective districts for providing treatment and healthcare services to Dera range personnel.

Similarly, the DIG Welfare also directed authorities concerned of the district police to ensure that children of policemen had access to higher education by signing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with different schools, colleges, and universities.

He issued these directives during his visit to the Dera Ismail Khan region, aimed to address the welfare issues of police personnel and officers in the region.

In this regard, he held a “Darbar” at the district’s police lines in line with the instructions of Inspector General of Police(IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akhtar Hayat Khan. According to police spokesman Muhammad Kashif Mushtaq Kanju was presented a salute by a smartly turned-out police contingent upon his arrival at the police lines.

He also laid a floral wreath at the martyrs’ memorial and prayed for their departed souls. He also conducted a video link session with police officers and personnel from Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Upper South Waziristan, and Lower South Waziristan to discuss and resolve welfare issues of the policemen.

While earlier addressing the Darbar, DIG Welfare highlighted the significant measures taken by the Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akhtar Hayat Khan, for the welfare of police personnel and the families of martyrs.

He informed that agreements had been made with various hospitals across the province to ensure better healthcare facilities for police personnel and their families.

Thus, he directed the high-ups of the district’s police to make similar agreements with hospitals and educational institutions for welfare of the police personnel of the region. He also lauded the dedication and sacrifices of all police officers and personnel in the Dera region, especially their courageous actions against anti-state elements. He acknowledged their invaluable contribution in safeguarding the nation.