JAFFARABAD district lies in the south-east of Balochistan. The total population of the district is approximately one million. It is mostly a tribal area.

Police in the district are facing certain departmental and administrative issues.

The district police consist of almost 3,200 personnel having only one bulletproof vehicle, which can carry only three policemen at a time. Police have only 40 bullet-proof jackets.

Police vehicles are in poor condition. They do not have enough vehicles for patrolling and chasing suspects. There are hardly 10 police vehicles in working condition in the district.

Jaffarabad police also lack accommodation for staff. The DPO house was destroyed during the 2010 floods. The district also doesn’t have any bomb disposal squad. Modern weapons and technology to trace criminals is also needed.

Transfers and postings on the basis of political interference have greatly limited police performance. While this factor has brought a bad name to the police department, it has also demoralised the personnel.

Feudal and tribal culture in the district is a big hurdle in police efficiency. Jaffarabad police should be provided adequate facilities and it should also be free from political interference.

Abdul Zahir

Jaffarabad

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2017