Quetta is the hub of crimes: Official

If crimes are controlled in the capital, situation will improve in Balochistan.

QUETTA:

Half of the crimes reported in Balochistan emanate from Quetta, according to Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad. He added that if the police managed to control crimes in the provincial capital alone, the law and order situation across the province would significantly improve.

In his first interaction with the media after taking over the post of chief secretary, Babar said Quetta and its surrounding areas were densely populated, resulting in the high rate of crimes in and around the city.

“The improvement of the law and order situation in Quetta will have a significant impact throughout Balochistan. Our government is, therefore, focusing on strengthening the police (in Quetta),” he told journalists at the 72nd Passing-out Parade of the Balochistan Police.

Babar added that there was a dire need of training, modern equipment and resources to strengthen the police force. “The government has decided to earmark a large amount for the Balochistan Police in the next budget,” he added.

In response to a query about highway hold-ups and increasing robberies, the chief secretary said the provincial government was making efforts to reduce crime on the highways. “The police have recovered several people who were kidnapped on the Sibi-Jacobabad highway. It shows that the police are not sitting quietly.”

While Babar appeared confident about the police, he refused to comment over rampant kidnappings in the province. “The Supreme Court has already taken this up, thus I will not comment on kidnappings,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th, 2012.