Police Act 2011: Balochistan gets police transfer powers

Provincial assembly adopts bill granting police posting powers to admin.

QUETTA:

The Balochistan Assembly on Friday adopted the Balochistan Police Act 2011 bill, granting more powers to administration and district magistrates in regulating police.

Provincial minister Ehsan Shah tabled the bill for approval.

The Balochistan Police Act 2011 is based on Police Act of 1861 which replaced the Police Order 2002 by the previous regime. The house unanimously adopted the bill.

The bill allocates power of postings as well as transfer of senior police officials to the provincial government.

Under the new act, powers of the provincial police officer (PPO) under the Police Order 2002 would be exercised by the home secretary, who would make postings and transfers on recommendations of the chief minister and Services and General Administration Department.

Also, the post of district police officer (DPO) will be abolished and that of superintendent of police (SP) restored, who would work directly under the supervision of district magistrate.

The government has already restored magistracy and revived the posts of commissioners and deputy commissioners in the province. The levies force, which was merged with police under the Police Order 2002, has also been restored in Balochistan.

Balochistan Essential Health Service (CODE of Conduct) Bill, 2011 was also tabled by Provincial Health Minister Ayunallah Shams of JUI-F during the session.

The bill seeks to put a check on frequent strikes by people from the medical profession in the province.





Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2011.