Inspector General of Police Balochistan, Muhammad Tahir, has announced a major initiative to modernise the provincial police force, including the recruitment of 1,000 new personnel for the Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF).
According to a statement today, the move comes as the IG revealed that more than 1,120 officers and personnel from the Balochistan Police have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, the highest number for any police force in the country.
The announcement was made during the grand passing out parade for the 106th Basic Training Course, where 868 recruits officially joined the constabulary. The graduating cohort, which includes 826 male and 42 female officers, successfully completed seven months of rigorous instruction at the Police Training College (PTC).
Addressing the ceremony, IG Tahir detailed further plans to enhance the force”s capabilities, stating that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) would be equipped with modern technology and its training methods innovated. Additionally, the Quetta Police will receive bulletproof vehicles and advanced equipment to effectively combat terrorism and serious crimes.
The IG stressed the importance of improving community relations, urging the new graduates to adopt a friendly and polite demeanour with the public. “By improving our behaviour, we will strengthen better friendly relations between the police and the public. We will control crimes with the cooperation of the public,” he stated, adding that if the job is done with professionalism and honesty, it is “no less than a worship.”
In a significant expansion of training capacity, the Khuzdar Levies Training Centre has been converted into a police training facility, where 600 Levies personnel are currently undergoing instruction. IG Tahir affirmed that special priority is being given to training, as the police must confront a wide range of criminal and terrorist threats.
He also issued a stern warning to the new officers to avoid corruption, lies, and smuggling, and to make honesty and adherence to the law their guiding principles. Cooperation with international partners, including INL and UNODC, was credited for considerable progress at the training centre.
Commandant of the Police Training College, Shahzad Akbar, provided historical context, noting that the institution was established as a Recruit Training Centre in Kalat in 1963 and has since trained over 61,819 officers.
Reaffirming the force’s determination, the IG vowed that terrorists would continue to be met with a “befitting reply”, referencing the response to the January 31 attacks. He concluded by congratulating the newly trained personnel, who will now formally assume their responsibilities across the province. Additional IG Ashfaq Ahmed and other senior officers were also in attendance.