News Desk
Quetta: Inspector General of Police Balochistan, Muhammad Tahir, stated that the capacity of the Balochistan Police is being enhanced in line with modern requirements. This includes recruiting one thousand personnel into the Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF) and equipping the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) with modern technology to further improve the policing system. He said police personnel are sacrificing their lives to protect the lives and property of the public, and more than 1,120 officers and personnel of Balochistan Police have laid down their lives — the highest number in the country.
He expressed these views while addressing the 106th passing-out parade. On this occasion, Additional IG and Commandant BC Ashfaq Ahmed, Commandant PTC Shehzad Akbar, SSP Admin Dostain Dashti, SSP SCIW Dr. Sami Malik, AIG Welfare Faryal Fareed, and other senior officers were present.
Commandant of the Police Training College, Shehzad Akbar, said that recruits graduating in the 106th passing-out parade completed a seven-month basic training course. A total of 868 personnel completed training, including 826 male and 42 female recruits, who will now formally join the police force and assume their duties.
The IG said that the dignity of the uniform and a clear mindset define a good officer. By improving their conduct, relations between police and the public will be strengthened, and with public cooperation crime can be controlled. He announced one thousand new recruitments in the ATF, provision of bulletproof vehicles and modern equipment to Quetta Police, and modernization of CTD training to effectively counter terrorism and serious crimes.
He added that the Khuzdar Levies Training Center has been converted into a Police Training Center, and currently 600 Levies personnel are under training there. Training is being given special priority so police can confront all forms of crime, terrorism, and conspiracies. He reiterated that Balochistan Police have made 1,120 sacrifices and will continue to respond strongly to terrorists.
He reaffirmed commitment to service-oriented and cooperative conduct toward the public in Quetta with full federal support. Congratulating the new graduates, he said policing, when carried out with professionalism, hard work, and integrity, is akin to an act of devotion. Maintaining public order and confronting terrorism and crime are among their foremost responsibilities. He praised the response to the January 31 attacks and honored the martyred personnel.
He emphasized courteous behavior toward the public and firmness toward criminals and terrorists. Police must move forward as a team and continue working with security forces to eliminate terrorism. He further stated that, with support from INL and UNODC, considerable progress has been made at the training center, and practical steps to address its challenges will begin soon. A briefing was also given to the Chief Minister regarding infrastructure improvements.
He noted that the FTF police unit will be further strengthened and modern technology introduced in the department. For the first time, a special training course has been developed for officers promoted from Grade 17 to 18. Personnel were urged to avoid corruption, falsehood, and smuggling, and adopt integrity, honesty, and adherence to the law.
Commandant Shehzad Akbar added that approximately 61,819 officers have received training at the college so far, including the current 868 graduates. Before 1963, there was no police training institution in Balochistan; that year a recruit training center was established in Kalat. In 1978, it was upgraded to a Police Training College and shifted to its present location, and in 2003 it was again granted formal college status.
The college’s experienced instructors have also trained personnel from various departments, including Pakistan Railways, FIA, Excise and Taxation, Balochistan Levies Force, QDA, Anti-Corruption, Pakistan Customs, and Municipal Corporation institutions. Besides routine courses, specialized training is conducted in investigation, head-muharrir duties, drill, and driving. Levies personnel merging into the police are receiving orientation courses, and selected APC drivers are undergoing specialized training due to current conditions.
At the ceremony, the IG inaugurated five newly completed projects — tennis, badminton, and futsal facilities, a women’s mess library, dispensary, and gym — and awarded shields and cash prizes to recruits who performed well during training.
