Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday announced increases in compensation for police personnel killed or injured in the line of duty, alongside changes to housing benefits and welfare provisions for their families.

Under the revised package, compensation for the families of constables, head constables, assistant sub inspectors (ASIs), sub inspectors (SIs) and inspectors killed on duty will increase from Rs 11 million to Rs 17 million.

Families of deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) and assistant superintendents of police (ASPs) will receive Rs 25 million, compared with Rs 16 million previously.

Compensation for the families of superintendents of police (SPs), senior superintendents of police (SSPs), assistant inspectors general (AIGs) and officers in grades 18 and 19 will rise from Rs 21 million to Rs 30 million.

For deputy inspectors general (DIGs), inspectors general of police (IGPs) and grade 20 officers, the amount will increase from Rs 21 million to Rs35 million.

Kundi also announced changes to compensation for officers injured while performing their duties. Payments for permanent disability will increase from Rs500000 to Rs 5 million, while compensation for injuries classified as severe will rise from Rs 100000 to Rs 1.5 million.

The government has also decided to replace the existing plot allotment scheme for families of police personnel killed on duty with cash payments.

Kundi said the previous arrangement created difficulties for families who were allotted plots in districts far from their homes.

Under the revised scheme, families of constables and head constables will receive Rs18 million instead of a five marla plot, while families of ASIs, SIs and inspectors will receive Rs 25 million in place of a seven marla plot.

Families of DSPs and ASPs will receive Rs 30 million instead of a 10 marla plot. For families of officers holding the rank of SP or SSP and above, the cash payment will be Rs 70 million in place of a one kanal plot.

The governor said the change would allow families to decide whether to purchase property, rent accommodation or use the funds according to their circumstances.

The package also introduces compensation for the families of police officers targeted by militants.

If an officer's spouse or children are killed, the government will provide Rs 5 million. Compensation of Rs 3 million will be paid if an officer's parents or siblings are killed.

Payments have also been announced for the families of officers killed while off duty.

Families of constables, head constables, ASIs and inspectors will receive Rs 4 million, while those of DSPs and ASPs will receive Rs5 million. Families of SPs, SSPs and officers in grades 18 and 19 will receive Rs 7 million.

The government will also provide Rs1 million towards the marriage expenses of daughters of police personnel killed in the line of duty.

Kundi announced the establishment of an education fund for their children, including support for studies abroad.

He said police salaries had also been increased and directed officials to accelerate recruitment against 17000 vacant positions in the provincial police force.

The announcement follows a meeting earlier this week in which Kundi directed officials to prepare proposals for salary increases and welfare measures for police personnel and their families.

The changes come after the federal government imposed emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11 under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.

Kundi said cooperation between the federal and provincial administrations would be necessary to address security concerns and maintain peace in the province.