While Peshawar cops do VIP duty, 'less important' citizens suffer

Almost half of Peshawar police personnel are on VIP detail

PESHAWAR: More than 2,700 out of the total 6,200 police officers in the Peshawar police department have been assigned VIP duties in the provincial capital, leaving 'less important' taxpaying citizens to fend for themselves.

While the PTI government in K-P claims to have ended VIP culture in the province, information provided to The Express Tribune on Thursday by the Capital City Police contradicts their claim.



According to the data, 1,529 personnel were deployed in the provincial capital for the security of politicians, 1,005 were assigned to government officials, while 178 and 25 were allocated to VVIP and VIP duties, respectively.

The report claims the city is experiencing a shortage of police officers for the provincial capital's security with nearly half of the force is utilised for the security of VIPs of the government instead of the city.

"Even a nazim of the party is provided with four police personnel," the report claims.



The report can be seen here:

PHOTO: THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

The document further lists figures for security personnel deployed on VIP duty for districts – 217 in Malakand, 172 in Mardan, 52 in DI Khan, 101 in Lower Dir, and 53 in Charsadda, while Abbottabad, Kohat, Karak and Hangu have 59, 38, 9 and 10 police officers, respectively.

The report also mentions a letter from the DPO to the home department highlighting that an MPA in Kohat was given 16 police officials for his personal protection, slashing the strength of the forces in the area.