Approves the establishment of the Special Branch as a separate specialized unit and the creation of 1,221 new positions
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi. Photo: Archive
PESHAWER:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi approved a series of key administrative and operational improvements for the Special Branch of Police, with the aim of modernizing the unit and strengthening the province’s intelligence and counter-terrorism capabilities.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, CM Afridi approved the establishment of the Special Branch as a separate specialized unit and gave in-principle approval for the creation of 1,221 new posts. A major financial package was also approved to strengthen the operational capacity of the unit, including Rs 1.82 billion for infrastructure development and construction of new buildings, and Rs 904.7 million for the procurement of 98 vehicles and 404 motorcycles.
Additionally, Rs 2,543.9 crore will be allocated for advanced technical equipment, surveillance systems and other intelligence tools. The Chief Minister directed that the proposed allocations for Special Branch personnel be processed on priority, emphasizing the vital role of police in the fight against terrorism. New buildings for the unit will also be constructed throughout the province.
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During the briefing, officials highlighted the key responsibilities of the Special Branch, including intelligence gathering, security assessments, verifications, surveys and surveillance. In particular, 308 personnel from the merged districts have been integrated into the force. In 2025, the Special Branch successfully neutralized two suicide vests, 32 improvised explosive devices, 70 rocket projectiles and 288 hand grenades, preventing multiple terrorist attacks.
The unit also provided security for 635 political meetings and completed extensive checks, including 3,124 NADRA checks, 6,840 passport checks, 14,518 CPEC-related checks, 6,060 personal checks and 9,413 official employee checks.
CM Afridi reiterated that all necessary resources would be provided without delay to enhance the professional capabilities of the Special Branch.
