Public Alleges Rampant Harassment and Extortion by Police After Section 144 Imposed in Quetta

**Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta):** Following the enforcement of Section 144 by the Balochistan Home Department in Quetta, serious allegations have emerged against the police and other security forces, particularly the Eagle Squad, of widespread harassment and extortion at checkpoints across the city.

According to reports, as soon as the notification for Section 144 was issued, police, Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF), and especially the Eagle Squad set up checkpoints on various roads in Quetta. Under the pretext of checking identity cards and vehicle or motorcycle documents, citizens were allegedly stopped, harassed and extorted, turning daily life into misery for the public.

Residents have complained that instead of improving law and order, the imposition of Section 144 has become a “lottery” for certain law enforcement personnel, enabling them to openly loot poor and working-class people. On Monday, similar scenes were witnessed in different parts of the city, where citizens reported being stopped at multiple checkpoints and forced to pay bribes.

Public circles have strongly reacted to the situation, stating that they have no concern with political restrictions, bans on government employees, or hurdles placed in the way of political parties. However, they demanded that the practice of extortion in the name of Section 144 must immediately be stopped.

Citizens have urged the Inspector General of Police and other senior authorities to take immediate notice of the situation and initiate strict action against police officials and personnel involved in harassing and exploiting poor people. They emphasized that such practices are further eroding public trust in law enforcement and creating resentment among the people of Quetta.