News Desk:Â
Quetta – In a significant administrative move, the Balochistan government has officially converted Makran, Zhob, and Rakhshan divisions into ‘A-Areas’, transferring all law enforcement powers from the Levies Force to the police. A formal notification has been issued, signaling the government’s intent to centralize and modernize the province’s security framework.
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According to government officials, the decision aims to enhance law and order by establishing a uniform and effective security system across Balochistan. They maintain that the police force, being professionally trained and better equipped, is more capable of handling the evolving security challenges in these regions.
However, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from various political parties and stakeholders. Opposition leaders argue that the Levies Force is a historic and community-trusted institution, deeply rooted in local tribal and social structures. They emphasize that Levies personnel, being native to their areas, possess a deep understanding of local traditions, geography, and tribal dynamics — qualities essential for effective and culturally sensitive law enforcement.
In the Balochistan Assembly, the move has already sparked tensions. A heated exchange was recently witnessed between opposition and treasury benches over the reclassification of Levies-controlled areas into police-administered zones. Critics argue that the transition may lead to public distrust and disrupt the existing community policing model that the Levies system represents.
Several lawmakers have urged the provincial government to reconsider or at least phase the transition with greater consultation. They stress that while strengthening security is vital, disregarding local context and public sentiment could backfire.
The conversion of Levies to police in key divisions remains a contentious issue and is expected to remain at the forefront of political debate in the coming weeks.
