Munir Shahwani, News Desk:
Levies personnel across Balochistan launched massive protest demonstrations on Monday against the provincial government’s decision to merge the Levies force into the police department. Protests were held in Mastung, Loralai, Killa Abdullah, and other districts, where Levies officials in uniform raised slogans rejecting the merger and demanding the restoration of the historic tribal policing system.
Carrying placards reading “No to Levies Merger” and “Save Balochistan Levies,” protesters said the Levies system has been part of Balochistan’s tribal tradition for over a century and cannot be replaced overnight. “The Levies force is not just a security unit — it’s our heritage,” said a Levies constable in Mastung. “Merging Levies with police means erasing our identity.”
Another Levies officer in Loralai told Daily Intekhab, “For decades, the Levies have maintained peace in far-flung areas where police presence is minimal. This merger is unfair and will create administrative confusion.”
The Levies force, established in 1883 by Sir Robert Sandeman, the then British administrator of Balochistan, has operated as a 142-year-old tribal security structure maintaining order across vast rural regions. Protesters said the provincial cabinet’s decision to dissolve this ancient system ignored the sentiments of local tribes and the contributions of Levies personnel.
“We are ready to continue our peaceful protests across Balochistan until the government withdraws this decision,” said a protest leader in Turbat. “The Levies will not accept the merger under any circumstances.”
Meanwhile, civil society groups, tribal elders, and political activists have also voiced support for the Levies’ demand to retain their independent status, calling the merger a hasty and ill-considered move.
