The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has delegated powers under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, to all deputy commissioners across the province amid concerns over the law and order situation.
According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, the move is intended to strengthen preventive action at the district level, improve administrative efficiency and reduce delays in taking measures to maintain public order.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Kundi said all deputy commissioners had been granted powers under Section 3(1) of the MPO Ordinance, 1960, in view of the province’s security situation.
He said the delegation of authority would enable district administrations to respond more promptly to emerging law and order challenges and take necessary administrative action without unnecessary delays.
Powers Must Be Exercised in Accordance With the Law
Governor Kundi has directed all deputy commissioners to exercise their powers under the MPO Ordinance strictly in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen coordination between district administrations and law enforcement agencies to ensure that security measures are implemented effectively at the local level.
The governor stressed that the delegated powers must not be misused under any circumstances. He said maintaining public peace, security and safety remained his top priority.
The instructions underline the importance of balancing preventive security measures with constitutional safeguards and legal requirements.
Greater Role for District Administrations
The decision to delegate MPO powers to all deputy commissioners is expected to increase the role of district administrations in addressing law and order issues across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The announcement comes at a time when security arrangements and administrative responses in the province are receiving increased attention.
The MPO Ordinance provides a legal framework for maintaining public order and allows authorities to take certain preventive measures, subject to the applicable legal provisions and constitutional protections.
Under the governor’s directions, deputy commissioners will be expected to coordinate with law enforcement agencies and ensure that any action taken under their delegated authority complies with the relevant legal requirements.
Security Measures Across the Province
According to the information provided in the report, the delegation of MPO powers forms part of broader administrative measures being undertaken in the context of the province’s law and order situation and discussions surrounding governor’s rule and emergency arrangements.
However, further details about the practical implementation of the decision, the procedures governing the exercise of these powers and any specific district-level actions have yet to be provided.
Governor Kundi’s announcement emphasizes the need for closer cooperation between district administrations and law enforcement agencies while ensuring that all measures remain within the boundaries of the Constitution and the law.
The effectiveness of the decision will depend on how the newly delegated powers are implemented, how authorities coordinate their actions and whether legal safeguards are consistently observed across the province.
