Rana Sana chides PTI’s KP govt after demeaning report on CTD performance

Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan has said that the report of the national agencies about the counter-terrorism department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is eye-catching, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In a statement on Monday, Rana said that 6300 incidents of terrorism in Pakhtunkhwa in one year is a serious situation but the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government is sleeping over this vital issue.

Sanaullah said KP Chief Minister should focus on law and order situation in the province instead of playing politics of lies.

Interior Minister said that the deteriorating law and order situation in KP is a cause of concern, adding that the chief minister should pay “serious attention” to it and “spend more time in his province and less in Zaman Park”.

The interior minister condemned the terrorists while paying homage to the martyred officials and also expressed his condolences to the families of the martyrs. He added instead of being a tool, the CM should fulfill the responsibilities of protecting people's lives and property.

The minister said that the increase in terrorist attacks on the K-P police is not a good omen. If the police are being attacked, what will happen to the security of the people, he asked.

He added that the federation is ready to provide all possible support and assistance to the K-P government for the security of the public and increasing the efficiency of the police.

Police in K-P came under militant attack in Lakki Marwat, leading to fierce exchange of fire that resulted in the martyrdom of at least four policemen and as many injured.

In KP, there is no money for the salaries and pensions of the employees, nor for the martyrs, he said adding that what has achieved the PTI government in nine years?

He said PTI led KP government did nothing to strengthen the CTD department in the province.

The federal government had also offered Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to increase the capacity of police and CTD, but no response has been received till date. “There is a difference of 150 percent between CTD Shahada package of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he added.

There is a 70% difference between the salaries of CTD Punjab and CTD KP too but the provincial government has not discussed it till date, he hinted.

The minister said that there is no training school for CTD in KP, why was it not given attention in nine years? Imran Khan is responsible for the destruction of the CTD department in KP, he alleged.

Meanwhile, the national institutions have questioned the ability of the KP Counter-Terrorism Department.

According to the report issued on Monday, KP Counter-Terrorism Department is not capable of fighting terrorism.

The report also drew a comparison between the monetary and professional capabilities of Punjab and KPK.

As per the report, there are up to 18 SSPs and two DIGs in Punjab’s CTD as compared to KPK’s one which has been given the additional charge of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).

As for the funds, KP CTD’s reward fund is Rs 25m while Punjab has Rs 276 in the fund. Apart from that, there exists a 150pc and 70pc difference between the Shuhada packages and salaries of the two, respectively. KP CTD also does not provide accommodation to its officers, and Punjab’s training services are sought to train KPK officials.

The reports said that Punjab faced five terrorist incidents (3 Shaheed and 30 injured) compared to 704 in KP (305 Shaheed and 689 injured) in one year; with 93 terrorists killed mostly by security forces.

KP government, despite facing the major wrath of terrorism, has a poor focus on counter-terrorism capacity building.

The main issue revolves around budgetary allocations for procurements, upgradation of equipment, training of Human resources, allocations for operations as well as infrastructure, the report says.

Unfortunately, KP allocates a budget for CTD less than half of Punjab province, Rs 2180m including salaries compared to Rs 4700m for Punjab.

At least 96 percent of the budget is spent in pays and allowances. Out of total Rs 2180 m, less than 4 percent (Rs 8 m) is allocated for operations, compared to 276 m for Punjab.

Moreover, KP government has adopted a lethargic policy towards the allocations for procurements of the equipment for CTD.

 Despite KP CTD having the highest posted strength (2135 against the authorised strength of 3161) highest amongst all provinces (average District strength of 66) even compared to Punjab (1825) but the qualification of HR is poor, untrained, and very ill-equipped.

In Punjab training is supervised by retired SSG Officers, whereas Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lacks such training paraphernalia and no such plans are in the offing. KP has allocated zero training grants in the last 2 years in its annual budget.

CTDKPK has neither the resources nor the necessary manpower, the report said, adding that KP’s strength is not enough to stop the increasing terrorist attacks in the province, the report adds.

There is a need for immediate restructuring of the CTD, apart from providing resources, there is also a dire need for training, the report revealed.

CTD has become the epicenter of problems in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, lack of manpower and resources, it is not possible to stop the increasing terrorist attacks in the province.

The national agencies recommend restructuring, resourcing and training measures for CTD Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on an emergency basis.