Law and Order Kech
Kech is divided into two areas as far as law enforcement is concerned. Area "A" is controlled by the Balochistan Police headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP), while "B" area is controlled by the Balochistan Levies Force, headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the district. Kech and Panjgur districts are jointly supervised by one Superintendent of Police (SP) posted at Turbat. There is only one police station in the district, i.e., at Turbat, with a total force of 150 policemen. The police station at Turbat is responsible for maintenance of law and order in a radius of 8 kilometres. Initially the whole district was controlled by the police but in 1969 the district was bifurcated into two areas, "A" and "B". Police lines for both Kech and Panjgur districts are located at Panjgur with a force of 125 policemen to provide support to police stations in these districts.
Police station Kech
Levies force controls the remaining parts of the district. The Deputy Commissioner controls the levies through his Assistant Commissioners, Tehsildars, and Naib-Tehsildars. Moreover, the DC has the support of the Balochistan Reserve Police (BRP) manned by 35-40 constables in each platoon. A total of 8 platoons are deputed in Makran division. Another armed force named Makran Scouts is also deputed in Kech under an Army Major for keeping vigilance at the international border. The Makran Scouts are responsible for about 70% of all government expenditure, administered by the District Treasury of Kech (see chapter 8.2)
The overall law and order situation is good in the district, however over time the number of crimes is increasing. Usual crimes include robbery, theft and physical violence. The areas near the Iranian border are a heaven for smugglers. They know all the routes, therefore can easily deceive the customs officials. Iranian Balochistan provides a place of shelter for the culprits. People in Zamuran and Buleda often create problems of law and order. Cases of tribal rivalry are also reported in these areas. Motorcycle snatching at night time is increasing. The frequency of crimes has decreased remarkably in the last year. It may be interpreted in two ways. First that the police has been efficient and preventive, so that crimes have decreased. Second that people have lost their confidence in Police and they do not register the crimes with the police any longer. Last year one murder of a politician resulted in at least 5 other murders, all in revenge.

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The Superintendent of Police Office, Kech |
Justice is administered through regular as well as through Qazi courts. In the district regular courts are headed by an Additional District and Session Judge. A District and Session Judge is also posted at Turbat, being the divisional headquarters. Previously the District Magistrate and the Sub-division Magistrates had judicial powers, but recently administration and judiciary have been separated. The judiciary is of the view that this action has speeded up the delivery of justice while the administration opined, that justice process is slow in courts and people are suffering due to delays. This action has resulted in a system of checks and balances between administration and judiciary.
Qazi courts were established in 1976 under the provisions of Qanun-e-Diwan-i-Kalat and have powers of civil, family and rent courts. In tribal areas, they provide justice to private parties under the provisions of shariat laws. Appeal against decisions of Qazi courts can be made before a Majlis-e-Shoora which comprises upon two Qazis under the chairmanship of District and Session Judge. Both types of courts work in complete harmony.
Another justice delivery mechanism was jirga system, which has now been abolished. Jirga is a very old institution, which was provided a legal framework under Ordinance I and II of 1968. According to these ordinances jirga was empowered to decide civil as well as criminal cases. Amongst the influential of the area, 20 members were nominated for jirga membership by the Deputy Commissioner, out of whom two members were selected by each of the conflicting parties. Jirga was headed by a nominee of the DC. The Deputy Commissioner and afterwards the Commissioner was the appellate authority. Jirga system was abolished by an order of the Balochistan High Court. It surely was a time saving and economical mechanism of justice administration.