ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have issued fresh operational guidelines, authorising the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, baton charges and, in extreme circumstances, aerial firing to disperse violent protesters posing an imminent threat to life and property.
The directives, issued by the Office of the Inspector General of Police under Operational Guidelines OG-45/2026, outline a graduated response to violent demonstrations, unlawful assemblies and acts of vandalism, while requiring police personnel to exercise maximum restraint during peaceful protests.
According to the document, police have been instructed to use the minimum essential force necessary under the law, with any escalation depending on the severity of the situation.
The guidelines specify that violent protesters should initially be warned before force is used. If necessary, tear gas shells and grenades may be deployed from a safe distance, followed by rubber bullet guns and pepper ball guns to disperse violent crowds.
Where the situation demands further intervention, anti-riot personnel may conduct baton charges, while specially designated unarmed squads will be responsible for apprehending violent protesters and initiating appropriate legal proceedings.
In cases involving extreme violence and an imminent threat to life and property, the guidelines permit aerial firing by specially designated armed personnel, but only on the instructions of the senior-most officer present at the scene.
The police have also been directed to take strict legal action against individuals involved in attacks on security personnel, damage to public or private property, violent disturbances and other unlawful activities.
Under the directives, District Police Officers (DPOs), Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) and Station House Officers (SHOs) must personally oversee security arrangements during protests within their respective jurisdictions.
Special anti-riot squads equipped with protective gear, tear gas and other crowd-control equipment will be deployed, while plainclothes personnel will identify individuals involved in violence, sabotage or other unlawful activities.
Armed police personnel may only be deployed at designated locations in extremely urgent circumstances under the direct command of DPOs.
The guidelines further authorise police to regulate processions, temporarily close roads and public spaces, and disperse assemblies violating applicable legal requirements under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act, 2017.
Special security arrangements will be made for sensitive installations, including police stations, government buildings, banks, petrol pumps, shopping centres and major highways, to prevent damage during demonstrations.
The directives also make video recording of protests and processions mandatory, with SHOs responsible for arranging comprehensive footage, preferably through professional cameramen, to facilitate subsequent investigations and legal proceedings.
District police authorities have been instructed to conduct operational briefings, rehearsals and reporting procedures, while ensuring coordination with district administrations, law enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
The document emphasises that peaceful demonstrations must be handled through dialogue and restraint, with force to be employed only when legally justified and proportionate to the prevailing threat.
The operational guidelines have been circulated to police formations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for compliance, including regional and district police officers.
The instructions were issued under the authority of Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed and circulated by DIG Operations Shakir Hussain Dawar.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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