KHAR: The political and social activists of Bajaur tribal district have welcomed the absorption of Khasadar and Levies forces into regular police force in the merged districts.

Talking to this correspondent, Jamaat-i-Islami MPA Sirajuddin Khan welcomed the provincial government’s decision to merge Khasadar and Levies forces into regular police force of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that it was the longstanding demand of more than 29,000 personnel of the two forces and the residents of the entire tribal districts.

He was of the view that absorption of both the forces into regular police force by the government would not only end the anxiety among the personnel, but would also enable them to improve their performance.

PML-N leader and former lawmaker Shahabuddin Khan while talking to this correspondent said that it was a great decision of the provincial government to integrate the two forces into police department.

He mentioned that this was the significant part of the Fata reforms bill 2018. He said that it was clearly mentioned in the bill that all personnel of both the forces would be merged into the police after merger of the tribal districts with KP.

He asked the government to implement its decision with immediate effect.

The PML-N leader said that there was no physical presence and contribution of the personnel of both the forces in the tribal districts in general and Bajaur in particular for last several months after they protested for acceptance of their demands.

Bajaur Chamber of Commerce and Industry senior-vice president Khalid Khan also hailed the government’s decision. He said that it would not only ensure equal facilities, incentives and police powers to the personnel of the Khasadar and Levies forces, but would also end uncertainty among them and their families.

He urged the provincial government and police department to arrange special training courses for the personnel in the tribal districts.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2019