K-P boosts special branch with upgrades

CM Afridi approves new posts, major funding and modern equipment

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has approved a series of key administrative and operational enhancements for the Police Special Branch, aiming to modernize the unit and strengthen the province's intelligence and counter-terrorism capabilities.

Chairing a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister's Secretariat, CM Afridi approved the establishment of the Special Branch as a separate specialized unit and granted in-principle approval for the creation of 1,221 new posts. A substantial financial package was also sanctioned to bolster the unit's operational capacity, including Rs1,820 million for infrastructure development and construction of new buildings, and Rs904.7 million for procurement of 98 vehicles and 404 motorcycles.

Additionally, Rs2,543.9 million will be allocated for advanced technical equipment, surveillance systems, and other intelligence tools. The Chief Minister directed that proposed allowances for Special Branch personnel be processed on priority, emphasizing the vital role of the police in the fight against terrorism. New buildings for the unit will also be established across the province.

During the briefing, officials highlighted the Special Branch's key responsibilities, including intelligence gathering, security assessments, verifications, surveys, and surveillance. Notably, 308 personnel from the merged districts have been integrated into the force. In 2025, the Special Branch successfully neutralized two suicide jackets, 32 IEDs, 70 rocket shells, and 288 hand grenades, preventing multiple terrorist attacks.

The unit also provided security for 635 political gatherings and completed extensive verifications, including 3,124 NADRA checks, 6,840 passport verifications, 14,518 CPEC-related verifications, 6,060 personal verifications, and 9,413 official employee verifications.