Police chief denies presence of Da’ish

IG Butt says Safe City project to be expanded to major cities

QUETTA: Inspector General of Police Mohsin Hassan Butt has said that there is no presence of Islamic State (IS) aka Da’esh in Balochistan, however, the defunct Lashkar-e-Jhangvi had earlier announced allegiance with the IS. He vowed that all terrorists’ organisations would be stamped out from the province.

Addressing a news conference in Dera Murad Jamali on Friday, the IG said the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) including police are taking strict action against terrorist groups and criminals. He said that the law and order situation in Balochistan has improved.

Butt said: “Work on Safe City projects in Quetta and Gwadar is under way, which would be expanded in all major cities of Balochistan to control crime”.



The IG while paying homage to martyrs said: “Despite numerous attacks on police our morale is high and we won’t sit comfortably until the scourge of terrorism is eliminated from Balochistan”.
To a query related to Iranian oil smuggling, the IG said that prevention of diesel and oil smuggling comes in the jurisdiction of Customs but the police has secured the national highways for travellers.
On the kidnapping of Dr Ibrahim Khalil, he said the LEAs have been jointly working for the safe recovery of the neurosurgeon and his recovery is expected soon.
He also said the police upgradation was facing delay due to some financial issues but a new summary has been sent to the chief minister.
Counter Terrorism Department DIG Aitzaz Goraya, Naseerabad Police DIG Rao Munir, Naseerabad SSP Irfan Bashir and police officials were present on the occasion.