Raisani hails role of Balochistan Levies Force

The Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani has said that during his maiden speech after assuming the office he had promised with the people of Balochistan that efforts would be made for reviving the Levies Force for maintaining public order according to the law and aspirations of the people of the province.
The Chief Minister Balochistan in a policy statement here on Sunday maintained that the past dictatorial regime disbanded the effective Levies Force to serve his vested interests without realising the pros and cons, thereby creating a serious lacuna whereas, writ of the law was challenged in the rural areas in the absence of the levies force.
Raisani who is also the Chief of Sarawan, said that the levies force had been playing a very effective role for more than a century, especially the personnel associated with this force had more knowledge of the people and the geography of the interior of Balochistan than the other law enforcement agencies. The personnel of other agencies, mostly transferred from various parts to serve in areas having no personal knowledge of the people or the locality, Raisani added.
The chief minister recalled that the Provincial Cabinet in its meeting held on March 5, 2009 had approved restoration of the Levies Force. Initially, he added, the Provincial Levies Force had started functioning in six districts while the Federal Levies was functional in 16 districts. However, the provincial government has now tabled the Balochistan Levies Force Bill 2010 before the Balochistan Provincial Assembly in its session on Friday last for its consideration and approval, Raisani said.
Elaborating the effectiveness of the Levies Force the chief minister maintained that the past government had unilaterally disbanded the levies force turning the B-areas into A-areas with the notion that this way the law and order in the province would come under control but the time has proved that such unpopular decisions always fizzle out having no public support.
Raisani continued as saying that on the other hand, the concept of Levies Force, known as community police, which in the western border had been far more effective and result-oriented with much less financial burden on the public exchequer, the Chief Minister opined.
Nawab Aslam Raisani expressed his hope that the proposed bill placed before the Provincial Assembly would be approved unanimously during its closing session being convened on Monday (today).