QUETTA:
The Balochistan Assembly on Saturday saw intense discussions over a resolution tabled by opposition members regarding the ‘alleged merger’ of the Levies Force into the police.
Opposition leader Mir Younus Azizi Zehri accused the provincial government of secretly planning to integrate the Levies Force into the police, claiming it was a ‘pre-planned conspiracy.’
Assembly Speaker Capt (retd) Abdul Khalique Achakzai adjourned the session for ten minutes to allow Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti to clarify the government’s position.
Upon his return, the Chief Minister assured the house that the Levies Force would not be merged into the police. “Both the Levies and the police are government forces dedicated to serving the people. Reforms will be introduced to enhance the Levies Force, not to replace it,” he stated.
Asghar Tareen, a senior member of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), expressed strong support for the Levies Force as an independent entity.
“The Levies Force has been the backbone of security in rural Balochistan for decades. They are well-versed in local dynamics and indispensable for maintaining law and order,” he said.
Balochistan National Party-Awami (BNP-A) President Asad Baloch echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The Levies Force represents the tribal traditions and unique security needs of Balochistan. Any attempt to undermine it will face resistance.”
The chief minister proposed forming a committee, led by the opposition leader, to oversee reforms and improvements in the Levies Force. However, the opposition rejected the offer, insisting the issue be debated in the assembly. They argued that the force’s tribal identity and structure were being deliberately targeted.
Tensions flared when the term ‘tribal force’ was objected to by the chief minister who emphasized that reforms would only strengthen the Levies without affecting its core identity. The session was adjourned indefinitely without further discussion, leaving the matter unresolved.
The Levies Force, a vital component of Balochistan’s security structure, continues to spark debate among lawmakers, with many advocating for its preservation and modernization.
It may be mentioned here that in the past levies force was replaced with police force which was highly criticized by the local political leaders despite the fact that the outdated levies force lacks the modern investigation skills as well as faces capacity issues.
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