CM Sohail Afridi announces ban on arrest under 3MPO

PESHAWAR: Newly elected Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has imposed a ban on arrests under 3 MPOs across the province.

The first formal high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of newly elected Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi, in which issues related to the good governance roadmap, law and order, and anti-corruption were discussed in detail.

The Chief Secretary, IGP, Additional Chief Secretary, Administrative Secretaries, and senior police officials attended the meeting. At the same time, all Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, RPOs, and DPOs participated through video link.

It was informed in the briefing that the good governance roadmap focuses on 3 major sectors of public service delivery, law and order, and economy, which has been prepared in accordance with the vision and manifesto of PTI.

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said in his address that an attempt was made to rob the mandate of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the February 8, 2024, elections.

He said that government officials who stood by the people and showed honesty will be rewarded, while strict action will be taken against those who go against the public mandate.

Important announcements

The Chief Minister said that he is not convinced of the traditional style of government but wants to bring practical changes so that the people feel real change.

He announced the establishment of Tribal Medical College, Tribal University of Modern Sciences, Safe City Project, and playgrounds in every tehsil for the merged districts.

He also announced the establishment of the University of Investigative and Modern Journalism in the name of Shaheed Arshad Sharif and the preparation of a ‘Revival Plan’ for the revival of Peshawar city.

The Chief Minister directed that the e-PAID system be linked to e-tendering, while the Conceptual Examination System should be introduced to eliminate rote culture in the examination system.

He made it clear that deviation from merit or recommendation culture in posting and transfers will not be tolerated.

Ban on arrests under MPO

Sohail Afridi said that no political figure will be arrested under 3MPO in the province, freedom of expression is the fundamental constitutional right of every citizen, and FIRs based on political revenge will be abolished.

He said that the police should not make anyone a target of political revenge, that torture of prisoners in jails is unacceptable, and that the KP police will not be allowed to adopt a culture like the Punjab police.

Major announcements for the police

The Chief Minister, while announcing the provision of modern weapons and equipment for the police, said that there would be no reduction in police funds.

Criticizing the policies of the federal government, he said that the province was being deprived of constitutional rights, including funds for the War on Terror, due to which law and order problems were increasing.

Sohail Afridi, while rejecting the substandard bulletproof vehicles given by the Federal Interior Minister, said that this was a mockery of the KP police, so they should be returned.