The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has introduced fees on all major certificates and documents issued by the police. This means that services like character certificates, police clearance, visa processing, and tenancy forms will no longer be free.
The decision has come into effect following approval from the provincial cabinet.
According to the new notification, the fee for character, clearance, and visa certificates has been set at Rs. 3,000. The tenancy form will now cost Rs. 2,000, while verification for government employees will be charged at Rs. 1,000.
Members of the public have expressed concern over the move. They say that the free availability of the tenancy form had encouraged many citizens to officially register their tenancy agreements with police. Now, with fees in place, there is fear that people may avoid registration, potentially leading to security risks.
On the other hand, police officials say the newly introduced fees aim to improve the system, ensure transparency, and support digital reforms. However, the public response indicates that the decision may need to be reconsidered.