QUETTA, BALOCHSITAN: In response to attacks by Baloch separatists on mineral-carrying vehicles across Balochistan, the government has decided to establish a new dedicated security force to protect vehicles and highways, according to the Additional Secretary Home Balochistan.
Additional Secretary Home Balochistan Hamza Shafqat said that out of 33 demands presented by traders, agreement has been reached on 15, while discussions on the remaining issues are ongoing. He said that on matters of federal nature, the Prime Minister has been contacted, and the Federal Interior Minister and Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue will visit Quetta after the budget.
Hamza Shafqat announced that a new security force is being established for the protection of highways, and an insurance system for freight vehicles will also be introduced. He said discussions are currently underway with State Life Insurance in this regard, and the Balochistan government will also contribute its share to the insurance scheme.
He said that compensation will be paid to the owners of vehicles that were burned on national highways, and the process of disbursing these payments is being expedited. Similarly, the time for the return of seized or affected vehicles is being reduced from several months to one week.
According to the Additional Secretary, vehicles stranded due to security concerns will now be escorted to their destinations in organized convoys under security cover, with the assistance of the Pakistan Army to be sought whenever required. The Inspector General of Balochistan Police will also consult with traders on the security plan.
Hamza Shafqat said that complaints regarding repeated and unnecessary vehicle checks are also being addressed. The number of checkposts on national highways, currently standing at 55, will be reduced in a phased manner, while customs powers will be withdrawn from certain checkposts, limiting them to security functions only.
He further stated that small and private vehicles leaving Quetta will no longer be subjected to checks at the Lakpass and Bileli checkposts. A special clearance card system for freight vehicles will also be introduced so that once a vehicle has been cleared, it will not be stopped repeatedly. He added that complaints of harassment of Balochistan’s traders, transporters, and passengers in Sindh will be taken up with the Sindh government.
Hamza Shafqat also said that complaints about vehicles and buses being held for three to four hours at the Bowata checkpost near Rakhni on the Quetta-Dera Ghazi Khan highway have been reviewed, and the checking time will now be reduced from hours to 15 to 20 minutes.
He said that a special force is being established to protect road networks, vehicles, and the mines and minerals sector, which will be fully operational within the next six months. In the meantime, freight vehicles will be transported in special security convoys until the new force is ready.
He further stated that funds are being diverted from the development budget to cover security expenses. He added that the government and the trader community are in agreement on eliminating smuggling, which will not be permitted under any circumstances, while all legitimate and legal business activities will be provided full facilitation and support.
