In Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Inspector General of Police, Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, has ordered regional police officers (RPOs) to stay out of political matters. He sent a letter to the RPOs telling them not to get involved in any political activities. This comes after the KP Chief Secretary, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, issued a similar warning to provincial officials, including the police.
In his letter, Chaudhry made it clear that police and administrative officers must only follow orders that align with the Constitution. He stated that no public servant should support any political party or activity in any way, either directly or indirectly. The chief secretary emphasized that no resources, including personnel or equipment, should be used for political purposes.
The warning was issued shortly after the Ministry of Interior sent a letter to the KP Chief Secretary. The ministry requested that the provincial government avoid using state resources, including finances and officials, for any political protests. The letter highlighted the importance of maintaining political neutrality in all government activities.
Chaudhry reminded public servants of their duty to serve the people impartially, regardless of the political situation. “We must always put the Constitution and the state first, not any political party or individual,” he said. He added that any violation of these principles would be treated severely, with strict legal consequences. Public servants were urged to uphold political neutrality at all times and to follow a professional code of conduct.
The Chief Secretary’s letter concluded with a reminder that public servants must work to build a country based on integrity and justice. “Our responsibility is to honor the trust placed in us and to serve the people of Pakistan without bias,” he wrote.
Recently, PTI leader Imran Khan, who is currently in jail, called for a nationwide protest. He wants to challenge the results of the February elections, the arrest of party members, and the passage of the 26th Amendment. There are also reports suggesting that the KP government may use Rescue 1122 vehicles to support the protest. Some believe the protest may even turn into a sit-in.
It is also worth noting that several KP police officers and Rescue 1122 staff were detained during the PTI protest in Islamabad in October. They were later released from jail, where they were warmly welcomed by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The government had criticized the PTI-led KP administration for misusing state resources during the protests in the federal capital.
This ongoing situation has brought political neutrality to the forefront. The provincial government is taking steps to ensure that state machinery is not used for political activities, reinforcing the need for impartiality in government operations.
