Levies Force in Panjgur Rejects Merger with Police, Demands Respect for Court Orders

PANJGUR:Following similar moves in Chaghi and Nushki districts, the Levies Force in Panjgur has also rejected the decision to merge the force with the police. A *jirga* held at the district headquarters under the supervision of senior Levies officials saw the participation of 555 Levies personnel who unanimously opposed the proposed integration.

The jirga was chaired by Risaldar Major Sabir Ali Gichki and attended by Dafadar Saeed Ahmed, Naib Risaldar Muhammad Tayyab, Naib Risaldar Abdul Ghaffar, Naib Risaldar Muhammad Ismail, and Naib Risaldar Imam Bakhsh.

Speaking to the media, Dafadar Saeed Ahmed stated that the officers had made a hasty and unilateral decision regarding the Levies Force, which is wholly unacceptable to the personnel. He emphasized that the matter is currently under judicial review and that the court has already issued a stay order against the merger.

“Despite the court’s directive, attempts are being made to undermine the sacrifices and role of the Levies Force,” he said. “There are 28,000 individuals serving in Levies across Balochistan, and the public has full confidence in their integrity and service.”

Ahmed highlighted that the Levies Force has always upheld Balochistan’s traditions with sincerity and dedication. He recalled that a similar forced merger under the Musharraf regime was later overturned by a unanimous resolution in the Balochistan Assembly, acknowledging the force’s contributions and reinstating it.

“Today, once again, there is an effort to push the Levies Force toward the same path, disregarding judicial orders, which is deeply concerning and a blatant violation of court rulings,” he added.

The Levies officials reiterated that they have filed a united petition in court to protect the identity and credibility of the force. “If the people of Balochistan have no complaints against Levies, what is the compulsion behind weakening a competent force through such decisions?” they questioned.

They further stated that the Levies Force, despite limited resources, has maintained law and order in the province’s most challenging regions. “Rather than demoralizing a popular force, the government should provide it with better resources.”

They appealed to Balochistan Assembly members Mir Asadullah Baloch, Mir Rehmat Saleh, and National Assembly member Phaleen Baloch to raise their voices against this move and condemn the injustice being done to the Levies Force.

The jirga participants also called on Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti to protect the force’s original structure and ensure provision of modern facilities to strengthen it further.