Pay cut stuns, disheartens Paktia police personnel

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Police in southeastern Paktia province on Tuesday said they were concerned about a 1500 afghanis pay cut as directed by the Ministry of Interior in a letter to the provincial police headquarters.

The ministry has cited ‘comparatively stable security situation’ in Paktia and low level of threats as reasons behind the pay cut in its letter to the police department.

But policemen expressed their anger at the move, saying instead of honoring them for improvement in security, they were punished.

Police official at the police headquarters, Abdullah, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the news of pay cut had disheartened the police forces.

He said the police worked day and night maintaining security at the cost of their lives and the pay cut had a negative impact on the police morale.

Another policeman, Abdul Wali, said it was wrong to say peace prevailed in Paktia as they daily faced with security incidents.

“They are unhapp because they were expecting a pay raise, the pay cut has stunned the entire police department.”

Pakia police chief Brig. Gen. Toryalai Abadyani confirmed the pay cut issue and urged the Ministry of Interior to review it.

“The improved security is the result police bravery and sacrifices. The pay cut will have a negative impact on their morale.”

Currently a joint delegation of the ministries of interior, defence and the spy service has been visiting Paktia to assess its security situation.

Head of the delegtion, Col. Nizamuddin Dadkhwa said the pay cut issue would be discussed with higher ups in Kabul.

The MoI pay cut order is confined only to four provinces, including Panjsher and Paktia. It comes amid increasing insurgent attacks in various parts of the country including Paktia.

People and their representatives have expressed concern about the growing insecurity in much of the country.

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