Law and Order Zhob
The Zhob district comprises largely "B" area under Levy control. The Levy is a traditional institution for law and order maintenance. The jurisdiction of the police is limited to the five kilometres area around Zhob city. ("A" area) the office of the Superintendent of Police was established in 1983, previously it came under the SP of Loralai. The regular police force is 260 for the two districts of Zhob and Killa Saifullah together, including one SP, one Deputy or Assistant Superintendent of Police and three Inspectors.
Travelling on the highway is safe in day time. At night travelling is restricted. Foreigners are only allowed to travel on highways in daylight without any permission of camping. They may only travel across the district when escorted. Cases of kidnapping, dacoity and looting are not common. Tribal disputes are common and regularly involve the killing of persons involved. Often criminals flee across the borders into Afghanistan. The role of the FC (Zhob Militia) is very important in the promotion of law and order, checking smuggling across the borders, and stopping tribal warfare if escalating.
The Zhob Militia is one of the oldest forces of the sub-continent. It was established in 1890 as the Zhob Levy Corps with Captain W.A.D. O' Mealy as its first Commandant. The Zhob Militia had jurisdiction over the region which now includes the entire Zhob division. Nowadays the ZM is headed by a Commandant with a rank of full colonel. It has four wings: at Zhob, Sambaza, Muslim Bagh and Qamardin Karaz.
Administration of Justice
The district Qazi court can decide only in civil cases not exceeding Rs. 50,000. Also, they are not allowed to adjudicate cases involving government as a party. In a situation where Qazi courts exercise their jurisdictions and a government party is found involved in a case, directly or indirectly, the Qazi courts are not empowered to interrupt the proceedings. A Qazi court does not have the power to penalise except in the case of contempt of court, for which they may sentence the offender to six months imprisonment. However, this power is hardly ever exercised. Cases are brought before the Qazi court by lower courts or directly by a party involved.
The civil judiciary comprises an Additional Session Judge at Zhob city. His area includes Killa Saifullah. The Civil Judge sits in Loralai. The separation of judiciary is not implemented in Zhob city. The Assistant Commissioner still decides on criminal cases. There are around 600 cases pending with the AC office. The District Session Judge in Loralai can transfer or withdraw any case from the Zhob Session or Additional Session Judge office. Murder cases are only dealt with by the Session Office.
Prison and Levy Lock-up
There is one jail at Zhob city which comes under the Prison Department. The jail building was built during the British period and used to be a Judicial Lock-up. After partition it was turned into a regular jail. Those convicted to life imprisonment and those who are convicted to death are shifted to Mach jail. At the district level, the Superintendent of Jail comes under the direct command of the Assistant Commissioner and the Sub-District Magistrate.
There are a number of Levy lock-ups in the district at Mani Khawa, Qamar-din-Karaz, Zhob city and Sambaza. The Levy lock-ups come under the district administration.
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