Separate police force for Balochistan highways proposed
Highway force will patrol regularly which in result will reduce chances of robberies.
QUETTA:
Balochistan Police proposed a separate force for maintenance of law and order on highways across the province, particularly to overcome the increasing incidents of robberies and hold ups.
Highway hold ups and robberies witnessed a sharp rise during the past couple of years and people fear travelling on national highways now. “Balochistan police have proposed a highway force like one working in Punjab,” senior police officer of Balochistan told The Express Tribune.
According to Balochistan police, the personnel will patrol the highways regularly which in result will reduce the chances of robberies.
The proposal has been sent to the federal government for approval.
Transporters have protested against the highway hold ups and recently a driver was shot dead while resisting robbers. Some lawmakers from Balochistan Assembly have also declared few sections of highway as “black spots” where robberies and hold ups take place frequently .
Goods transporter also installed trackers to their trucks and buses after several loaded trucks were taken away at gunpoint.
The total strength of police force across the province is about 35,000 and they are responsible for maintenance of law and order for only 8% to 9% of the province while Balochistan Levies are deputed in the remaining 90% of the areas.
“Police is deputed in urban areas where population is relatively high comparing to rural areas and they need more resources to perform their professional duties,” the police officer said.
The province lacks experienced and qualified police officers. At least 25 senior police officers of the Pakistan Police Cadre had recently refused to join their duties in Balochistan because of the deteriorating law and order situation and lack of scope for promotion.
The refusal compelled the Balochistan police to promote junior officers like Deputy Superintendent of police to Deputy Inspector General Police and District police officers positions.
The government decided to equip the indigenous Balochistan Levies with modern facilities and impart training to overcome the security-related challenges.
Balochistan Police proposed a separate force for maintenance of law and order on highways across the province, particularly to overcome the increasing incidents of robberies and hold ups.
Highway hold ups and robberies witnessed a sharp rise during the past couple of years and people fear travelling on national highways now. “Balochistan police have proposed a highway force like one working in Punjab,” senior police officer of Balochistan told The Express Tribune.
According to Balochistan police, the personnel will patrol the highways regularly which in result will reduce the chances of robberies.
The proposal has been sent to the federal government for approval.
Transporters have protested against the highway hold ups and recently a driver was shot dead while resisting robbers. Some lawmakers from Balochistan Assembly have also declared few sections of highway as “black spots” where robberies and hold ups take place frequently .
Goods transporter also installed trackers to their trucks and buses after several loaded trucks were taken away at gunpoint.
The total strength of police force across the province is about 35,000 and they are responsible for maintenance of law and order for only 8% to 9% of the province while Balochistan Levies are deputed in the remaining 90% of the areas.
“Police is deputed in urban areas where population is relatively high comparing to rural areas and they need more resources to perform their professional duties,” the police officer said.
The province lacks experienced and qualified police officers. At least 25 senior police officers of the Pakistan Police Cadre had recently refused to join their duties in Balochistan because of the deteriorating law and order situation and lack of scope for promotion.
The refusal compelled the Balochistan police to promote junior officers like Deputy Superintendent of police to Deputy Inspector General Police and District police officers positions.
The government decided to equip the indigenous Balochistan Levies with modern facilities and impart training to overcome the security-related challenges.