An undated photo showing Levie’s staff.
QUETTA:
The Balochistan government has formally merged the Levies Force with the provincial police, abolishing all ‘B’ areas and converting them into ‘A’ areas, a move officials say resolves long-standing administrative ambiguity and ensures uniform law enforcement across the province.
Announcing the decision on X, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti highlighted that the merger clarifies the state’s responsibilities and strengthens the framework for public security and protection across Balochistan.
The Cabinet approved the move, with Sibi and Loralai divisions now declared ‘A-Areas’. As per the decision, all Levies personnel, including provincial, ex-federal personnel and members of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Wing, have been integrated into the Balochistan Police.
The merged staff would retain their ranks, pay scales, benefits and existing nomenclature. Their administration will now come under the Balochistan Police Act, 2011. The merger also involves the transfer of all infrastructure and resources from the erstwhile Levies Force to the police.
As part of a wider effort to improve policing, the Balochistan Police has launched an accelerated training program for ex-Levies personnel transitioning from ‘B-Area’ duties to regular ‘A-Area’ policing. The initiative began on 1 January 2026 at the Police Training College (PTC) in Quetta.
A total of 772 ex-Levies officers are enrolled in a three-month course covering physical fitness, weapons handling, marksmanship, counter-terrorism preparedness, investigative skills and legal training. Interns are also housed on site, with upgraded facilities.
PTC Commandant Shahzad Akbar said the college has added a futsal court and restored parade grounds etc to improve both well-being and training efficiency. “When they formally join the police, they will be better prepared to protect communities, uphold the law and maintain peace,” he said.
The program is part of a wider plan to strengthen crime prevention efforts, promote community-focused policing and rebuild public trust in the police. Officials said these measures aim to embed professionalism, transparency, accountability and service-oriented practices across the force.
This final merger completes a process that began in October 2025 when six of Balochistan’s eight administrative divisions – Quetta, Kalat, Makran, Zhob, Rakhshan and Nasirabad – were merged into the Police. Sibi and Loralai had remained under Levie’s control until now.
Chief Minister Bugti said the move marks a historic resolution of legal ambiguities over territorial police and reflects the government’s commitment to ensure consistent security and law enforcement in all districts of Balochistan.
(WITH ACCESS FROM APP)
