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October 23, 2026

Kundi Empowers Deputy Commissioners to Order Preventive Detentions in Northwest

Islamabad: The governor of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) announced this week that he has empowered deputy commissioners across the province to direct the arrest and detention of a person for the maintenance of public order, saying the decision aims to maintain law and order in the northwest amid emergency rule imposed there.

Pakistan’s president imposed emergency in KP and governor’s rule in the province on the prime minister’s advice on Oct11, blaming the provincial administration led by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of failing to address rising militant attacks. The PTI denies the allegations, saying that it wants the center to formulate a counterterror policy via consensus.

The move came as thousands of PTI supporters, led by then KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, marched on the capital from KP to demand the release of PTI founder Imran Khan. The former premier has been in jail since 2023 on charges that he says are politically motivated.

“In view of the prevailing law and order situation, I have delegated powers under Section 3(1) of the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, to deputy commissioners across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure timely and effective preventive action at the district level, reduce administrative delays and strengthen coordination with law enforcement agencies,” Kundi wrote on social media platform X.

Section 3 of the West Pakistan MPO authorizes the government to direct the arrest or detention in custody of a person to prevent them from putting public safety in jeopardy and disturbing public order. The government may extend detention for periods of up to six months at a time.

Kundi clarified that the move to empower deputy commissioners aims to ensure timely and effective preventive action at the district level, reduce administrative delays and strengthen coordination with law enforcement agencies. He urged officials to exercise their powers strictly in accordance with the law and the constitution.

“The powers must never be misused,” the governor said. “The peace, security and protection of our people remain my foremost priority.”

The government has moved to introduce stringent security measures in KP, as Pakistan witnesses a surge in militant attacks in its northwest province. Islamabad says most of these attacks were carried out by Afghanistan-based militant groups, which Kabul denies. - AN

Courtesy AN

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