Local Police in the Swat Valley Leaving Their Jobs

In the last 10 months, more than 100 policemen have been killed in the Swat valley of Pakistan by militants.

Many of them were locals who were recruited in 2009 as part of an effort to quash a Taliban insurgency in the valley. 

In many areas the local police in partnership the army have been successful in fighting back the militants.

But many are walking away from the job like Khaista Bacha.

Four months ago he used to go to his post at the police station at this time, but today he riding his rickshaw early in the morning.

He says it was too hard being a police officer.

“The salary was low and we didn’t get paid on time so I decided to leave. The security situation was also very bad.”

The Taliban views the police, government officials and the Army as their enemies.

Militants often hand out pamphlets warning government officers to leave their jobs—particularly female teachers and police officers. 

Farman Ali avoids leaving his home now.

He was shot in the belly last year when he followed and then killed two suspected militants. 

It was his childhood dream to become a policeman.

But it has NOT been a dream job.

He along with 7000 other officers in Swat have not been paid for months. 

“We can ONLY achieve peace if local people like me play a part otherwise there will never be an end to the fighting. That’s why I joined the police frce but it’s hard to stay motivated to work when you have no been paid for months.”

He was recruited on a salary of 100 US dollars a month.

Thousands of local people like him took up the offer in 2009 as part of the governments effort to wipe out militancy.

Many paid a heavy price for their decision .

Muntaj’s husband was beheaded last month when on duty. 

“I wished he had never joined the police then he would be alive today.  I don’t have an answer for my youngest daughter when she asks me about her father every night.”

Her father  says being a police officer is the worse career choice.

“I wish he was a beggar and still alive. That is better than being a police officer in Pakistan.”

It’s Yusaf Ali’s job to try to recruit people into the police force.

He is Deputy Superintendent in Swat and says they are looking for new recruits.

“We appreciate that local police has played vital role and have sacrificed their lives to bring back peace in Swat. Their salaries will be paid soon. I know some poor officers have left their duty but others are waiting to be paid.”

Khaista Bacha says he earns three times more as a rickshaw driver than he did working as a police officer. 

“It was very tough to support the family with my police salary but now I am doing well and earning enough for my family.”

And he says he feels much safer going to work each day.