QUETTA: Police have been relieved of all pressures and are being provided latest weapons for maintenance of peace, says Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo.

Addressing the passing-out parade of the seventh batch of Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) at the ATF Training College on Saturday, he said that police would be trained on modern lines so that they could deal with all security challenges in the province.

ATF personnel, he said, were rendering great sacrifices while dealing with people involved in target killings and other attacks.

Professional training was a necessary tool for fighting against terrorist and extremist organisations, the chief minister said.

He urged the ATF personnel to ensure better performance and honour the self-respect of the people.

Provincial Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti said the army, police, ATF, Levies and other forces were rendering great sacrifices for the elimination of terrorism from the province.

Addressing the gathering, Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari said that terrorism was the biggest drawback of modern era. Few elements were engaged in a conspiracy to demolish harmony.

He said efforts to restore peace were facing snags for which modern arms and training were essential.

The ATF facility was founded in 2013 and this was the 7th batch, the IGP said and added that around 1,500 personnel had passed out and were serving in different areas.

Acknowledging the interest of Mr Bizenjo, he said the chief minister had attended two ceremonies of the police department within a week.

The IGP said there was a need for divisional police training centres in the province as the Police Training Centre in Sariyab was the only institute available in the province.

Mr Ansari said the ATF needed immediate reconstruction of its parade ground, installation of a tubewell, housing colony and a training school which would cost Rs84 million.

Some 220 personnel have completed a three-month training course.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2018