Law and Order Gwadar

Gwadar district is divided into two areas as far as law enforcement is concerned. Area "A" is controlled by the Balochistan Police while "B" area is controlled by the Balochistan Levies Force headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the district. Gwadar district is supervised by a Superintendent of Police (SP) who is assisted by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). There are 4 police stations in the district: at Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara, and Jiwani. The total number of police force in the district amounts to 286. All the 4 police stations are 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 is located at Gwadar with a force of 226 policemen to provide support to police stations in the districts but still they do not have proper building for accommodation.

 

An old fort, now police station

Levies force controls the remaining parts of the district. The Deputy Commissioner controls the levies through Assistant Commissioners, Tehsildars, and Naib-Tehsildar. Moreover, the DC has the support of about 10 platoons of the BRP manned by 25 policemen in each platoon. Another armed force named Coast Guards is also deputed in Gwadar under a Navy Commandant for vigilance at sea border. The Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency are also deputed at various points in the district to safeguard the Pakistani sea border.

The overall law and order situation is relatively good in the district and crimes are decreasing since 1989. Usual crimes include robbery, theft, and physical violence. In the period of last two years there have been only one murder while the total number of registered cases at 4 police stations of Gwadar are less than those of the other two districts in Makran division. The vast coast line and areas near the Iranian border are heaven for smugglers. They know all the routes therefore can easily deceive the Coast Guards and Customs officials. Iranian Balochistan provide a place of shelter for the culprits.

 

Source:

The Superintendent of Police Office, Gwadar

 

Justice is administered through regular as well as Qazi courts. In the district regular courts are headed by Additional District and Session Judge. 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. However, 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. However, 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 two Qazis under the chairmanship of a District and Session Judge. Both types of courts work in complete harmony.

Another justice delivery mechanism was the jirga system which has now been abolished. Jirga was 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.

 

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