Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has transferred the authority to conduct preventive arrests and detentions under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance to every Deputy Commissioner in the province. These specific powers, derived from Section 3(1) of the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960, permit officials to place individuals under preventive detention for a period of up to three months.
Previously, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) held these special powers exclusively. Governor Kundi stated, "These powers have been delegated so that timely and effective preventive action can be taken on the ground."
The Governor added that he expects every Deputy Commissioner to act responsibly and work in close cooperation with law-enforcement agencies. He further warned that under no circumstances should these powers be misused.
In May 2023, the Peshawar High Court declared null and void the orders issued by deputy commissioners to arrest those accused of involvement in May 9 protests under the 3 MPO. Advocate Naeem Ahmed Khattak filed a writ petition against the powers granted to district governments under 3 MPO through the mediation of Advocate Ali Azim Afridi.
