Writing to Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur, khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed has asked that the province be given “hard area” designation and that police pay be raised to reflect those given in Balochistan.
The IGP underlined in the letter that KP still suffers major threats from both internal and cross-border terrorism, hence law enforcement responsibilities in the province are equally, if not more, difficult than in Balochistan, previously classified as a “hard area”.
Dimensions of Quality
According to him, KP police officials kept making more sacrifices but received less than their colleagues in other provinces; this pay difference was producing discontent and disturbance inside the force.
According to the letter, carrying out the suggested adjustments will cost Rs2.199 billion annually.
Currently paying the lowest police salary nationwide, KP, the province most impacted by terrorism, At higher positions, the difference in pay becomes more obvious; many KP officials are looking for transfers to other provinces in search of better financial possibilities. On the other hand, officials from other provinces are reluctant to accept KP posts because of the reduced compensation and extra security concerns.
A constable in KP receives Rs69,127 at the base pay scale (BS-7), compared to Rs73,000 in Punjab, Rs 69, 520 in Sindh, and Rs 69,886 in Balochistan. In KP a head constable (BS-9) makes Rs76,996; in Punjab the salary is Rs80,198; in Sindh Rs76,895; in Balochistan Rs77,211.
Likewise, an assistant sub-inspector (BS-11) in KP earns Rs86,579, whereas in Punjab and Sindh he earns Rs88,583 and Rs88,489 respectively. KP’s sub-inspectors (BS-14) rank behind Punjab’s Rs 114,503, Sindh’s Rs 114,871, and Balochistan’s Rs 109,510 at Rs 107,904.
Salary in KP for inspectors (BS-16) is Rs137,081, while in Punjab it is Rs141,680; in Sindh it is Rs144,738; in Balochistan it is Rs137,444.
At higher levels, the difference is significant: deputy superintendents of police (DSPs/ASPs) in BS-17 get Rs184,867 in KP; in Punjab, they get Rs233,930; in Sindh, Rs177,562; in Balochistan, Rs453,727. Police (BS-18) superintendents in KP pay Rs232,531, whereas those in Punjab pay Rs373,487; those in Sindh pay Rs299,496; and Balochistan pays a notable Rs607,706.
Senior superintendents of police or assistant inspector generals (BS-19) pay Rs 326, 529 in KP, while in Punjab Rs495,550; in Sindh Rs362,820; in Balochistan Rs679, 147. While their colleagues in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan earn Rs579,361, Deputy IGs (BS-20) in KP get Rs372,669.
While Punjab pays Rs694,506 and Balochistan Rs746,173 KP pays additional IGs (BS-21) Rs424,863. Comparatively to Rs837,953 in Punjab, Rs813,485 in Sindh, and an amazing Rs1,148, 244 in Balochistan, the top post—IGP (BS-22)—earns Rs777,649 in KP.
Assumed charge last month, Zulfiqar Hameed has said that police in KP provide a difficult task. He addressed top officials at Central Police Office in Peshawar in February that many did not applaud him when he was named the KP IGP because of the demanding nature of the position but he has accepted the challenge and will do his best for the people of KP.
He noted that districts like Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, and Kurram experience daily attacks; even generally peaceful areas like Karak have seen an increase in violence. The provincial government has told him, he said, that police pay will be examined and raised.
The IGP also mentioned that part of the larger reform agenda includes better infrastructure, including outposts and strengthened police stations. The IGP said without the wellbeing of the force the intended outcomes cannot be reached.
He said they will also improve the police stations, police posts, and other buildings all over the province.
Although the KP boasts the most martyrs in the past two decades, he noted, their package is the lowest. To at least acquire the approved strength, he added mentioned they have also taken up the problems of promotions and more hiring.
