Balochistan Province

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan
The Balochistan High Court suspended the implementation of the Mines and Minerals Act until the next hearing, while directing the provincial government to submit a comprehensive response regarding the challenged legislation.
The interim order was issued during the hearing of petitions questioning various provisions of the newly enacted law. Petitioners argued that certain clauses required judicial scrutiny, raising concerns related to administrative authority, regulatory procedures, and stakeholder consultation.
During proceedings, the court observed that the matter involved significant legal and governance implications and therefore warranted detailed examination before the law could remain operational. Consequently, the court granted interim relief by halting enforcement of the act until further orders.
The provincial government was instructed to present its official stance and relevant legal justification at the next hearing to assist the court in determining the constitutional and administrative aspects of the legislation.
Legal observers noted that the suspension temporarily pauses regulatory actions under the new framework and maintains the status quo until judicial clarity is achieved. The case is expected to shape the future regulatory structure governing resource management and institutional oversight in the province.

Quetta : ReNews Pakistan
The Balochistan government has approved plans to establish a modern Safe City Authority to strengthen provincial security infrastructure and meet contemporary technological needs. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Quetta, where progress on existing Safe City initiatives was reviewed in detail.
Officials said the new authority will oversee the installation of state-of-the-art surveillance cameras and digital monitoring systems in major urban centers across the province. A centralized command and control center will be activated, enabling round-the-clock monitoring of highways, critical infrastructure, crowded public spaces, and sensitive sites.
Chief Minister Bugti directed authorities to remove administrative, technical, and financial hurdles immediately and accelerate project implementation. He assured that the provincial government will provide both financial and technical resources to ensure timely completion.
Bugti described the project as a significant milestone for Balochistan, noting that the province will be the second in the country, after Punjab, to introduce such an advanced Safe City system. Officials stated that the initiative is expected to reduce crime rates, improve traffic management, enhance emergency response times, and strengthen coordination among law enforcement agencies.
The meeting was attended by senior provincial officials, including the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Inspector General of Police, and principal secretaries from relevant departments.
This move is part of broader efforts to modernize public safety infrastructure, integrate technology into urban security management, and provide citizens with enhanced protections in key provincial cities.

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan
Balochistan Inspector General of Police Muhammad Tahir has directed all Range DIGs, SSPs, and SPs across the province to ensure comprehensive security arrangements during Taraweeh prayers in Ramazan, with a focus on safeguarding urban neighborhoods, religious properties, and public infrastructure.
Police authorities have been instructed to strengthen security deployment around mosques, imambargahs, and adjoining residential blocks, while ensuring strict monitoring of entry and exit points in densely populated areas. Additional personnel are being deployed along major roads, commercial zones, and market areas to maintain orderly movement and protect public spaces during peak prayer hours.
The directives also emphasize enhanced surveillance of multi-storey buildings, rooftops, parking zones, and sensitive urban installations. Patrol operations, street monitoring, and coordinated field oversight are being expanded to ensure timely detection of any unusual activity and to maintain structural and civic security across urban centers.
Senior police officials have further been directed to coordinate closely with local administration, mosque management committees, and community representatives to reinforce protective measures. Authorities stated that these steps are aimed at ensuring a secure environment for residents, protecting religious premises, and maintaining stability in urban areas throughout the holy month.