QUETTA: A bipartisan resolution in the Balochistan Assembly opposed the handing over of the area under Levies jurisdiction to the police.
The resolution tabled on Saturday was opposed by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, who said the government had no plan to abolish the Excise force.
The joint resolution was moved by Mir Rehmat Baloch during the assembly session chaired by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai.
Among the other participants were opposition leader Mir Younis Zehri, Syed Zafar Ali, Rehmat Baloch, Zabit Reki, Khair Jan Baloch, Dastagir Badini, Maulana Hidayatur Rehan, Asghar Ali and Ume Kalsoom.
Lawmakers say the measure has failed in the past; CM says govt plans to modernize force
The resolution stated that the experience of converting areas under the jurisdiction of the Taxes into “area A” had failed in the past and that a similar attempt should not be made again.
According to the law, the Taxes operate in parts of Balochistan declared “Zone B” by the government. In these areas, the Levies, under the command of division and district officers, act as the law enforcement agency.
In “Area A”, Balochistan Police acts as the law enforcement agency.
According to the promoters of the resolution, the government planned to convert the area under Levies’ jurisdiction into a police zone without consulting the people’s representatives.
Zehri, the opposition leader, pointed out that the attempt to dissolve the Excise during the Musharraf era was a failure as the Balochistan police could not establish peace in the province.
Provincial Minister Noor Mohammad Dummar criticized the idea of abolishing taxes, stating that such a proposal had not been presented to the cabinet, making further discussion unnecessary.
Provincial Minister Mir Sadiq Umrani confirmed that no decision had been taken on the dissolution of the Taxes and that the government should clarify this issue.
Responding, CM Bugti clarified that the provincial government had already taken steps to modernize the Levies force.
He noted that the government would not take any decision without the consent of the assembly members and suggested setting up a committee including government and opposition members, retired police officers and Levies representatives to improve the Levies force.
He said the government was open to reforms and emphasized the assembly’s role in law-making, not infrastructure development.
The speaker then referred the matter to the Standing Committee on Internal and Tribal Affairs and adjourned the meeting indefinitely.
Published in Amanecer, January 5, 2025.