QUETTA: The chief minister of Balochistan has directed officials to reduce the number of check-posts on national highways of the province and establish joint checkpoints of different law enforcement agencies to curb smuggling in the province.

A high-level meeting, chaired by the chief minister, reviewed the proposed amendments in the Levies Force Act and related legal aspects regarding merger of the Levies Force with police in Lasbela, Gwadar and Quetta districts which will be declared as A Area.

Additional Chief Secretary Home Hafiz Abdul Basit, the law secretary, Advocate General Arbab Tahir, Additional IG Police Abdul Razzaq Cheema attended the meeting.

Regarding the number of check-posts, the Home Department will review the check-posts set up on highways and issue notification of the required check-posts.

The meeting decided to remove unnecessary check-posts immediately. The meeting was informed that permission of the Home Department would be required for setting up an additional joint check-posts at different places.

It was also decided that CCTV cameras would be installed at all check-posts.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2020