K-P unveils major police salary, welfare boost

Pay package to surpass other provinces; plots, cash and education support for families of 54 martyrs

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday unveiled a substantial increase in salaries and welfare benefits for police personnel, declaring that the new pay package would exceed expectations and place K-P Police compensation above that of other provinces.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Governor's House, where allotment letters for residential plots were handed over to the heirs of 54 police martyrs, the Governor said the revised package was designed to recognise the sacrifices of the force and improve the living standards of serving officers and their families. He added that compensation for police personnel killed or injured in the line of duty would also be significantly enhanced.

Members of the Advisory Council, Chief Secretary Dr Muhammad Fakhare Alam Irfan, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, senior police officers and the families of the martyrs attended the event. The Governor personally distributed plot allotment letters to the next of kin of the 54 officers, whose ranks ranged from constable to deputy superintendent of police.

In a further measure of support, Governor Kundi announced that financial assistance would be provided for the purchase of houses in place of plots for the children of police martyrs. He also introduced a special financial assistance package for families of serving police personnel whose parents, spouse, children or siblings lose their lives in terrorist incidents.

The Governor extended the net of welfare further by approving financial support for the families of police personnel who die from causes unrelated to terrorism, police encounters or law-and-order duties. A special marriage grant for the daughters of police martyrs was also sanctioned.

Turning to education, Governor Kundi directed the authorities to put in place an effective mechanism that would guarantee free schooling for the children of martyrs. The scheme, he said, would be implemented with the assistance of Zamurd Khan's Sweet Homes and through Corporate Social Responsibility programmes of commercial banks.

To address manpower shortages that place heavy pressure on existing officers, the Governor ordered that recruitment against vacant posts be accelerated. Speedy filling of these positions, he noted, would reduce the workload on serving personnel and ensure adequate strength for public protection across the province.

Officials present at the ceremony described the announcements as a comprehensive welfare package that simultaneously improves take-home pay, provides housing and education support for martyrs' families, and strengthens the operational capacity of the force. The Governor's office indicated that detailed notifications covering the revised salary scales, enhanced compensation rates and the new assistance schemes would be issued shortly so that the benefits could reach beneficiaries without delay.