KP Counter-Terrorism Department Faces Staff, Infrastructure and Equipment Shortages
PESHAWAR: Significant shortages of permanent staff, infrastructure, and modern equipment have been identified within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), according to official police documents.
The documents reveal that the force responsible for counter-terrorism operations across the province has a total strength of 3,844 personnel. However, only 25 of them are permanent employees, with the department relying heavily on executive staff temporarily deputed from the police force.
According to the records, the CTD currently lacks a permanent headquarters as well as fully established district offices across the province, although 21 district offices are under construction.
The documents further show that the CTD possesses only 17 bulletproof double-cabin vehicles throughout the province. The department is also facing shortages of modern forensic facilities, locators, jammers, armored vehicles, and other technical resources, limiting its operational effectiveness. Recruitment of 638 field operators has been initiated but has yet to be completed.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi stated that the provincial government is making substantial investments to enhance the capabilities of the police, CTD, and Special Branch.
He said that more than Rs30 billion has been spent on law and order since October 5. According to the Central Police Office, over Rs7.77 billion has been approved for strengthening the CTD, of which Rs7.05 billion has already been released.
The Central Police Office also stated that bulletproof and armored vehicles, modern weapons, drones, anti-drone guns, locators, jammers, and other advanced equipment have been procured for the CTD. Additionally, billions of rupees have been allocated to expand the department’s presence across all districts of the province.
Officials added that work on the expansion of the CTD headquarters is progressing and that further improvements in operational capacity are expected to help achieve long-term counter-terrorism objectives.
