Police officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have been instructed to perform their duties strictly within their legal and geographical jurisdictions amid federal concerns over potential misuse of state machinery by the PTI-led provincial government for political purposes.
In an official circular sent to senior officers across the province, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Security Division Shakir Hussain Dawar reminded police personnel that they are required to remain neutral and must not participate in any political activity.
The directive reinforces existing rules prohibiting law enforcement members from aligning with political parties or joining demonstrations and rallies.
The instructions come as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plans to stage a protest outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) today.
Adeel Iqbal, spokesperson for PTI’s KP chapter, said the party has devised a “well-defined strategy” for engaging with its founder and warned of responses to “any unlawful actions taken against them.”
Chief Minister KP Sohail Afridi has repeatedly been denied permission to meet the incarcerated PTI founder in Adiala Jail, with the latest refusal marking the eighth denial since he took office.
Following the most recent refusal last week, Afridi spent the night outside the jail and was later joined by PTI leaders, as well as representatives of allied parties and officials, including Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Mishal Yousafzai, Senators Gurdeep Singh and Rubina Naz, MNA Zulfiqar Ahmed, and KP’s Information Minister Shafi Jan.
Authorities in the capital reiterated that Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code remains in force in Islamabad, banning protests, rallies, or public gatherings. The district administration warned that immediate action would be taken against any unlawful activity.
“Police and other law-enforcement agencies have been put on high alert,” the statement said, noting that all security bodies will work together to maintain order. Citizens were advised to avoid activities prohibited under Section 144.
Similarly, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema imposed Section 144 in the city from December 1 to 3.
Meanwhile, the sons of the imprisoned former prime minister have expressed concern that authorities may be withholding critical information about his health after more than three weeks without verifiable updates.
Kasim Khan told Reuters that despite a court-ordered right to weekly meetings, the family had not had direct contact with him, fuelling speculation about a possible transfer to some other undisclosed location or deterioration of his health.
The PTI founder has been in jail since August 2023, following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
