The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Police have become the focus of nationwide debate after a video surfaced showing an officer explaining that the force has gone without salaries for six months. The viral clip, shared widely on social media, has sparked public outrage and intensified criticism of the provincial government’s management of the unit responsible for ensuring tourist safety in some of Pakistan’s most heavily visited regions.
In the video, the officer—visibly overwhelmed—describes the deep financial and emotional strain faced by personnel deployed in major tourism hubs such as Swat, Abbottabad, Naran, Kaghan, Kalam, and Chitral. He states that their salaries and contract extensions have been pending for half a year, adding that officers are exhausted from constant pressure and humiliation. He further reveals that even basic necessities like drinking water are not being provided, ending with a prayer for strength during the crisis.
Despite these hardships, officers report for duty every day, even as they struggle to manage rent, groceries, school fees, and other essential expenses at home. Their frustration is amplified by the fact that they work long and demanding shifts—managing traffic, guiding visitors, resolving disputes, and assisting in emergency situations during peak tourism seasons.
Internal sources and officials attribute the six-month delay in payments to a mix of budget release issues, bureaucratic hurdles, and problems tied to the seasonal nature of many Tourism Police contracts. Persistent financial constraints have slowed the release of allocated funds, while several approvals required to process salary transfers were delayed across departments. Because many officers serve on temporary contracts, delays in contract renewal often cause further setbacks in monthly payments.
The impact on operations is already visible. Officers warn that morale has plummeted and that their ability to perform efficiently is deteriorating. Prolonged delays, they say, may hinder emergency response, disrupt traffic control, and increase complaints from tourists—potentially harming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s reputation as an emerging tourism destination. There is also growing concern that the safety of visitors, a core responsibility of the Tourism Police, could be compromised if the crisis continues.
In response to rising public, media, and internal pressure, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department has stated that the file for releasing pending salaries has finally progressed within the administrative system. Officials claim that payments may be disbursed soon, though officers remain sceptical, pointing out that they have received similar assurances before with no results.
