Smart policing reclaiming Peshawar

Prof Syeda Farhana Jahangir THE evolving landscape of law enforcement in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Peshawar, is witnessing a much-needed and commendable transformation. At the forefront of this positive shift stands CCPO Peshawar, Dr. Mian Saeed Ahmad, ably supported by SSP Operations, Mr. Farhan Khan. Their resolute leadership, professional integrity and operational clarity are setting new benchmarks in policing—offering both hope and tangible relief to citizens long burdened by lawlessness. One of the most pressing challenges faced by the people of Peshawar in recent years has been the menace of land mafia. Illegal occupation, coercion and manipulation deprived countless citizens of their rightful properties, creating deep-rooted mistrust in the system. For many affectees, the loss was not merely financial but emotional— striking at their sense of security, dignity and justice. Families who had safeguarded their ancestral lands for generations suddenly found themselves helpless against organized criminal networks operating with apparent impunity. In this context, the recent actions undertaken by the Peshawar police leadership are both timely and transformative. Through consistent efforts, strategic enforcement and what can rightly be termed “smart policing,” significant progress has been made in dismantling networks of land grabbers. It has been widely reported that, as a result of these sustained operations, many citizens have finally been able to repossess their lands and properties—an outcome that once seemed distant, if not impossible. Each such recovery represents not merely a legal victory but the restoration of a family’s dignity and livelihood. This resurgence of lawful authority has had a profound psychological impact on the public. People are beginning to feel heard, protected and empowered. The visible crackdown on illegal elements, combined with a clear stance of zero tolerance towards corruption and unlawful occupation, is gradually restorin