K-P DCs granted MPO detention powers

The powers allow any person to be placed under preventive detention for up to three months.Previously, these special powers rested exclusively with the Additional Chief Secretary (Home).

The decision to decentralise them follows concerns over the prevailing law-and-order situation and is intended to enable faster, more effective preventive measures at the district level.Governor Kundi said the step would reduce administrative delays and strengthen coordination between district administrations and law-enforcement agencies.

"These powers have been delegated so that timely and effective preventive action can be taken on the ground," he stated.He stressed that the authority must be exercised strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

"I expect every Deputy Commissioner to act responsibly and work in close cooperation with law-enforcement agencies," the Governor added.

"Under no circumstances should these powers be misused."Officials noted that the move places greater operational responsibility on district heads while retaining the requirement for accountability and legal compliance.

The notification formalises the transfer of powers province-wide with immediate effect.It may be recalled that the Peshawar High Court (PHC) in May 2023 declared the deputy commissioner's orders to arrest those accused of involvement in May 9 protests under Maintenance of Public Order (3 MPO) as null and void.The law of 3 MPO in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) had been challenged in the high court.A writ petition was filed by Advocate Naeem….

In the writ petition, the provincial government had been made a party through the chief secretary and the law secretary.

It was submitted that the bill is not correct and is unconstitutional.According to the writ petition, any citizen can be arrested without giving any reason under the law of 3 MPO.

Along with this, the administrative officers have the power to issue, execute, punish, and try warrants, it noted.Although the SC has on various occasions given decisions regarding the separation of the administration from the judiciary, judicial powers have been completely abolished in this regard, Afridi pointed out.He noted that under MPO, there is no trial and everyone is arrested and thrown in jail without assigning any reason, he had added.Subsequently,….

K-P DCs granted MPO detention powers Ahtesham Bashir | Updated 7 minutes ago | Move enables three-month preventive detention despite previous PHC ruling.