Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police in a Tough Spot Amid PTI Protests
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police find themselves in a difficult position after several of their personnel, along with officials from other provincial departments, were detained by Islamabad and Punjab police during the recent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests against the federal government.
Detention of KP Police and Rescue 1122 Employees
At least 11 KP police officers and 41 employees of Rescue 1122 were taken into custody by Punjab police while they were accompanying a protest rally led by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in the capital. This came amid a larger crackdown by the federal and Punjab governments to curb the PTI protest, which had led to days of unrest in Islamabad.
The authorities took stern measures to block the PTI’s workers from marching into the federal capital, resorting to tear gas and barricades. Several vehicles used by the provincial government were also seized, including 22 vehicles from Rescue 1122, the Peshawar Development Authority, and the Local Government.
Impounding of Emergency Vehicles
Among the seized vehicles were 17 ambulances and fire trucks provided for emergency services during the protests, according to Rescue 1122 officials. These vehicles had been dispatched under the provincial government’s directive, but there were also reports of vehicles carrying heavy machinery intended to clear blockades on the way to Islamabad.
The families of the detained Rescue 1122 personnel have announced plans to stage protests if their loved ones are not released soon.
Security Dilemma for KP Police
The situation has placed KP police in a bind. Several officers had been deployed to provide security for the chief minister and other cabinet members during the march to Islamabad, and some of these officers were also detained in Islamabad and Punjab. The security forces had no choice but to fulfill their duty, even though it led to their arrest outside the province.
PTI Protestors Enter KP Assembly
Adding to the unrest, a large number of PTI protestors stormed the KP Assembly building in the Red Zone while a session was in progress. Despite a heavy police presence near the Suri Bridge, the political protestors managed to enter the building.
KP Police Already Stretched
The KP police force is already under immense pressure, as they have been dealing with frequent attacks in the southern districts and other parts of the province. Over the past nine months, more than 100 policemen have been killed in 228 attacks. This ongoing violence, combined with the challenge of managing political unrest, has placed the force in an even more precarious position.