The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has finally addressed a long-standing concern for its police force by implementing uniform allowance. According to a recent notification, police personnel from Constable to Sub-Inspector rank will now receive Rs.8,400 annually for their uniforms.
This comes as welcome news for the thousands of officers who’ve been dipping into their own pockets to maintain their professional appearance. Most officers I’ve spoken with over the years mention how quickly their uniforms wear out from daily field duty, especially during monsoon season and summer heat.
New Uniform Allowance Addresses Long-Standing Need
“About time,” remarked a traffic sergeant in Peshawar when told about the notification. “We’re expected to look sharp every day, but uniforms take a beating in this job.”
What this Uniform Allowance Provides
The allowance breaks down to about Rs.700 monthly – not a fortune, but enough to replace worn-out shirts, trousers, caps, and boots that deteriorate during regular police work. Before this, many officers were patching up uniforms or paying out-of-pocket for replacements.
The decision affects the ranks that make up the bulk of the police force. Constables, Head Constables, Assistant Sub-Inspectors, and Sub-Inspectors – the officers you’re most likely to encounter at checkpoints, during patrols, or handling routine complaints – will all benefit.
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Punjab’s Police Still Waiting for Uniform Allowance
Meanwhile, across the border in Punjab, police officers continue waiting for similar support. Despite being Pakistan’s largest police force with over 180,000 personnel, Punjab has yet to implement a comparable uniform allowance program.
I visited several police stations in Lahore last month for an unrelated story and couldn’t help noticing the varying condition of uniforms. Some officers looked impeccable, while others wore visibly faded and patched uniforms.
A Station House Officer in Lahore, who asked not to be named, told me, “We spend at least Rs.10,000 yearly on uniforms if we want to look presentable. The caps fade first, then the shirts. Boots need regular polishing and eventually replacement. It adds up.”
Provincial Comparison Highlights Disparity
The contrast between neighboring provinces is striking. KPK, with its smaller budget, has managed to allocate funds specifically for this purpose, while Punjab – with its larger resources – has yet to follow through.
When I reached out to a senior police official in Punjab about whether they would consider a similar uniform allowance, the response was non-committal: “Various welfare measures are under review. We’re always looking at what other provinces are doing.”
Financial Impact on Officers
For the average Constable earning around Rs.35,000-50,000 monthly, setting aside money for uniforms competes with family expenses, children’s education, and rising living costs.
Beyond Money: Dignity and Respect
Beyond the money, there’s the matter of dignity. Officers represent the government when they wear the uniform. The state of that uniform reflects how much the government values its representatives.
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A former IG Punjab once told me that public respect for police correlates directly with their appearance. “A sharp-looking officer commands more respect than one in a shabby uniform,” he said. “It’s psychological, but it matters on the streets.”
Benefits of the KPK Uniform Allowance Initiative:
- Acknowledges a basic professional need of officers
- Reduces personal financial burden on lower-ranking personnel
- Improves overall appearance and professionalism of the force
- Boosts morale among officers who feel their needs are recognized
- Sets a precedent for other provinces to follow
The KPK allowance isn’t extravagant – Rs.8,400 won’t buy luxury – but it acknowledges a basic professional need. It says to officers: your appearance matters, and we understand it costs money to maintain it.
The Way Forward
As police reforms continue across Pakistan, these seemingly small welfare measures can significantly impact morale. An officer worried about patching his uniform has one more distraction from focusing on public safety.
For Punjab Police, the pressure is now on. With KPK setting this precedent, officers in Punjab will naturally ask when their government will follow suit. The ball is in Punjab government’s court to show they value their police force at least as much as their neighboring province does.
Until then, Punjab’s police officers will continue reaching into their own pockets every time a uniform wears out – an invisible tax on those who’ve chosen to serve and protect.
