Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has announced an expanded welfare package for police personnel and the families of officers who lose their lives in the line of duty, including increased compensation and cash payments in place of residential plots.
Under the revised scheme, compensation for the families of martyred constables, head constables, assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs), sub-inspectors (SIs) and inspectors has been increased from Rs11 million to Rs17 million.
For the families of martyred deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) and assistant superintendents of police (ASPs), compensation will rise from Rs16 million to Rs25 million.
Families of martyred superintendents of police (SPs), senior superintendents of police (SSPs), assistant inspectors general (AIGs) and officers in grades 18 and 19 will now receive Rs30 million, compared with the previous amount of Rs21 million.
For the families of martyred deputy inspectors general (DIGs), inspectors general of police (IGPs) and grade 20 officers, compensation has been increased from Rs21 million to Rs35 million.
Kundi said compensation for police personnel who sustain serious injuries or permanent disabilities while performing their duties had also been significantly increased.
He noted that the previous compensation for permanent disability was Rs500,000, which has now been raised tenfold to Rs5 million. Compensation for severe injuries has also increased from Rs100,000 to Rs1.5 million.
The governor said families of martyred police officers had previously been allotted residential plots. However, the arrangement had created difficulties for some families because plots were not always located near their hometowns. For example, families living in Dera Ismail Khan or Bannu could be allotted plots in Nowshera or Swabi.
Under the revised scheme, families will receive cash compensation instead of plots, allowing them to purchase or rent property in a location of their choice.
Families of martyred constables and head constables will receive Rs18 million in place of a five-marla plot, while families of martyred ASIs, SIs and inspectors will receive Rs25 million instead of a seven-marla plot.
The families of martyred DSPs and ASPs will receive Rs30 million in place of a 10-marla plot. For families of officers holding the rank of SP or SSP and above, the government has set compensation at Rs70 million instead of a one-kanal plot.
Kundi said police officers’ families also faced security risks, including potential attacks by terrorists. The provincial government has therefore introduced a separate compensation package for the loss of family members.
Under the new arrangement, a police officer’s family will receive Rs5 million if the officer’s spouse or children are killed. In cases involving the death of an officer’s parents or siblings, compensation will amount to Rs3 million.
The governor also announced compensation for police personnel killed while off duty.
Families of constables, head constables, ASIs and inspectors killed off duty will receive Rs4 million. The amount has been set at Rs5 million for families of DSPs and ASPs, while families of SPs, SSPs and officers in grades 18 and 19 will receive Rs7 million.
The provincial government will provide Rs1 million to help meet the wedding expenses of daughters of martyred police officers, Kundi said, describing the assistance as essential support for families.
He also announced the establishment of a fund to support the education of children of martyred officers, including opportunities to pursue studies abroad.
Kundi added that salaries of KP police personnel had been increased by more than initially expected to make their compensation packages more competitive with those offered in other provinces.
He said he had directed the relevant authorities to accelerate recruitment to the provincial police force, which currently has around 17,000 vacancies.
Concluding his remarks, Kundi called for cooperation between the federal and provincial governments, saying: “The days of rifts between the Centre and the province are gone. We now have to work together for the province’s peace and prosperity.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Kundi had directed officials to prepare and submit proposals for increased police salaries and an enhanced welfare package for the families of martyred and injured personnel.
During a high-level meeting at the Governor House, he reviewed proposals concerning police pay and welfare measures for affected families.
On October 11, the federal government imposed an emergency and governor’s rule in KP under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, placing the province under the governor’s administration.
