Balochistan Assembly Passes Key Security and Policing Bills Amid Heated Debate

QUETTA:The Balochistan Assembly, in a session held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Speaker **Captain (R) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai**, passed several significant bills, including amendments to the **Anti-Terrorism Act** and the **Balochistan Forensic Science Bill**, along with a controversial decision to **merge the Levies Force with the Police**.
The session began one hour behind schedule and witnessed **intense debate** between the treasury and opposition benches.
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### **Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill Passed**
Speaking during the session, **Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti** defended the **Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2025 (Bill No. 32)**, saying the legislation is aimed strictly at curbing terrorism and not to be used against political activists.
> “This law will not apply to political workers or ordinary murder cases. It will target only terrorists. We will not surrender to terrorism,” Bugti said.
He cited personal experiences of terrorist violence, including the martyrdom of his own family members, to stress the gravity of the threat. Referring to past attacks such as the **August 8, 2016 Quetta bombing**, he explained the need for special laws during extraordinary circumstances.
**Jamaat-e-Islami MPA Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch** strongly opposed the bill, calling it a **“murder of justice and human rights.”** He argued that under this law, people could be tried without knowing their accusers and warned that the legislation could be misused.
In response, CM Bugti clarified:
> “The accused will have access to defense lawyers and face witnesses in court. There is no clause that removes legal rights.”
He drew parallels to **anti-terror laws in the U.S. and France** post major attacks, defending the need for strong legislative tools. He added:
> “When the land burns, hearts burn. Ask the families of those who carry coffins what they go through.”
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### **Levies Force to be Merged with Police**
The assembly also approved the **Balochistan Levies Force Bill 2025 (Bill No. 28)**, officially beginning the process of **merging Levies with the provincial police**.
CM Bugti reiterated:
> “We have decided to merge Levies with Police. If the opposition wants debate, we are open to it.”
Opposing the move, **JI’s Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman** called for more consultation and questioned the **effectiveness of such mergers in areas where Levies had already been replaced**.
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### **Forensic Science and Internal Security Bills Approved**
The house also passed:
* **Balochistan Forensic Science (Amendment) Bill 2025 (Bill No. 29)**
* **Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2025 (Bill No. 32)**
**Parliamentary Secretary Zareen Magsi** presented both bills on behalf of the Home Department, which were **approved by majority vote**.
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### **Government to Eradicate Poppy Cultivation, Illegal Trawling**
CM Bugti further announced:
* **35,000 acres of poppy fields** destroyed this year.
* Strict action against **illegal Afghan poppy growers** and those leasing land to them.
* Government lands to be reclaimed and transferred to the state.
* **Illegal trawling in the Makran coast** to be classified as terrorism and completely eliminated.
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### **Commitment to Resolve Enforced Disappearances**
Addressing a long-standing issue in Balochistan, CM Bugti declared:
> “The current government is determined to resolve the issue of missing persons once and for all. Every arrest will be reported to the family and a magistrate immediately.”
He also accused previous governments of **politicizing the issue** while failing to offer any real solutions.
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### **Session Adjourned**
The Speaker **Abdul Khaliq Achakzai** emphasized that **majority opinion will guide the Assembly’s decisions**. The session was adjourned until **Friday, September 12, 2025, at 3:00 PM.**