Khattak dismisses criticism hurled at KP police

ISLAMABAD: The police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should not be criticised over a few cases, KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said, apparently referring to criticism which followed the killings of Asma Rani in Kohat and a minor in Mardan.

While addressing the media during a news conference in the federal capital Wednesday, CM KP said forensic laboratory in the province will start work on the recent cases in 15 to 20 days.

Tortured body of minor girl found in Mardan

The DPO informed that the minor was strangled to death

However, he added, work was not delayed due to any political pressure.

“There is no political intervention in KP police,” the CM said. “The KP government does not meddle in the affairs of the police and it is autonomous just like the army is.”

Khattak said even if the matter revolves around the district police officer, the inspector general of police in KP does not consult the government officials. “The brother of an MPA is behind bars but I have said nothing on the matter.”

According to the CM, the KP government does not believe in pressurising the police as it does not have any positive outcomes.

CM KP lauded the police in the province, saying it was better than the force in Punjab.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan also refused to acknowledge any shortcomings of the provincial police. 

SC admonishes KP police for 'incompetence' in Aasma rape-murder case

The Supreme Court was hearing its suo motu case in the rape and murder of four-year-old girl, who was found in sugarcane fields two weeks back

"People are targetting us and running a well-thought campaign against an exemplary police force, which has brought the crime rate down [in KP]," said the PTI chief.  

The PTI leader's comments come after Chief Justice Saqib Nisar remarked on Tuesday said the KP Police’s failure to arrest the culprit in the rape and murder of minor Aasma is reflective of the force's incompetence.