DERA GHAZI KHAN: More than a century-old colonial era paramilitary force – Baloch Levies – was brought under the command of ASP from Punjab police with a view to enhancing its performance.

The force was meant for trans-Indus districts of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur.

Since 1910, the Baloch Levies had been performing its duty to maintain law and order and it accomplished tough tasks in tribal area of tehsil Koh Sulaiman while for some time it had performed duties in Lahore.

It merits mentioning that only men from valley of Soan Sakaisar and tribal area tehsil Koh Sulaiman were entitled to join the Baloch Levies due to their strong physique. But during the Musharraf’s tenure, the criterion was withdrawn.

The additional chief secretary (home) has assigned additional charge of commandant of Baloch Levies to ASP Taunsa Sharif Mir Rohal Khoso till further orders.

Local historian Allah Bukhsh Buzdar advocate told Dawn that Baloch Levies in the colonial era was headed by a police officer answerable to the DC who acted as senior commandant.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2021