Postings in Balochistan Police on merit, no room for political interference: Bugti

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said the provincial government is committed to providing Balochistan Police with modern equipment, quality training and an environment of merit-based postings and transfers, where there is no room for political interference or pressure.

He said merit has been made the basic principle in the postings and professional duties of police officers. He said it is for the Balochistan Police leadership itself to decide which officer is suited to which responsibility.

The supremacy of merit will play a key role in restoring the trust of the younger generation, in particular, in the state. All pillars of the state must show the youth of Balochistan through their actions that they will be recruited on merit and will be able to serve according to their professional abilities without any political interference.

He expressed these views on Friday at the National Police Academy in Islamabad. He was addressing a ceremony held on the completion of training of the newly appointed Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) of Balochistan Police.

At the ceremony, the Commandant of the National Police Academy, IGP Saad Bharwana, presented the welcome address. The Inspector General of Police Balochistan, Muhammad Tahir Khan, officers of Balochistan Police who completed their training, participants of the Mid-Career Management Course, and officers of the Police Service of Pakistan and the National Accountability Bureau were also present.

Police officers are servants of the people

The chief minister said merit and professional independence do not mean that police officers should start considering themselves above the people or as rulers. He said police officers are servants of the state and the people. They must serve the people of Balochistan with complete honesty, dignity and a sense of responsibility.

He said the whole of Balochistan has been declared an A Area, so these officers carry greater responsibilities than before. He said it is a big responsibility but also an important opportunity, and that we have to prove that this decision was taken for a better future for coming generations and for effective Law and Order in the province.

He told the officers who completed their training that he was confident these young officers would bring honour to the province and the country through their character, professional conduct and performance of duty, and by facing the challenges before them with courage.

War against Terrorism

The basic responsibility of the police is to eliminate organised crime. However, in the present circumstances, Terrorism has also become a major challenge. Small groups of terrorists harbour the vile aim of dividing Pakistan through violence and the killing of innocent citizens, but the Balochistan government and police are not ready to back away from this war.

The chief minister made it clear that the war against Terrorism is not a limited fight between the Pakistan Army and terrorist elements. He said it is a war of the whole state and society, in which all institutions, including civil society, the police, the bureaucracy, politicians and the judiciary, have to play their part. He said Balochistan Police will stand on the front line in this war and will fulfil the responsibility of defending the homeland with full courage and resolve.

He said Balochistan Police has made countless sacrifices for peace. He said we have no regret over giving lives for the protection of the beloved homeland, but take pride in it.

The doors are always open to those who surrender to the state of Pakistan and give up the path of violence. However, elements who want to impose their ideas at gunpoint will not be allowed to do so. According to the chief minister, only the state has the legitimate and lawful authority to use force.

The provincial government will continue to give every possible support to Balochistan Police in dealing with its challenges, ending Terrorism and crime, and providing a favourable professional environment for the police.

The chief minister offered special thanks to Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. He said providing Balochistan Police officers with training opportunities at the best police academy in Pakistan was a commendable step. He also praised the services of the academy’s commandant, trainers and staff.

At the end of the ceremony, the chief minister distributed certificates of completion of training and awards among the Balochistan Police DSPs who finished their training. Miss Qurat-ul-Ain, the best probationer, who showed outstanding performance, was awarded the Sword of Honour. Certificates were also distributed among the participants of the Mid-Career Management Course and officers of the Police Service of Pakistan and the National Accountability Bureau.

The chief minister extended good wishes to all the officers and said his prayers and full support were with them. He thanked the Pakistan Police Academy for the invitation and reaffirmed his commitment to the security, stability and progress of Pakistan.