Balochistan Province

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan In a move to modernise urban governance and improve the delivery of civic services, the Metropolitan Corporation Quetta has launched a digital helpline and citizen complaint management system, offering residents a streamlined platform to report municipal issues and monitor their resolution. The system was inaugurated by the Secretary Local Government Balochistan, Rauf Baloch, alongside the Administrator Metropolitan Corporation Quetta, Mujib ur Rehman Qambrani, at a ceremony held at the corporation’s offices. During the event, officials presented a live demonstration outlining how complaints are registered, digitally routed to the relevant departments, and monitored until resolution. Authorities said the system is designed to reduce delays, improve coordination among departments, and strengthen accountability across municipal operations. A dedicated toll free number, 0800 09999, has been introduced to allow citizens to lodge complaints related to sanitation, drainage, roads, water supply, street lighting, and other municipal services. The IT branch of the corporation explained that complaints will be tracked through a central digital dashboard, enabling real time monitoring from submission to action taken. Senior administrators will use the dashboard to assess departmental performance, ensure transparency, and prevent complaints from remaining unresolved or delayed. Alongside the grievance redressal mechanism, officials also briefed the secretary on the Metropolitan Corporation’s newly introduced online revenue monitoring system. The platform is intended to digitally record and monitor all municipal revenue streams, supporting accurate bookkeeping, improved financial oversight, and more effective resource management. Officials said stronger revenue tracking would help the corporation plan infrastructure upgrades and civic improvements more efficiently, particularly in areas related to urban services, land use management, and municipal facilities. Speaking at the ceremony, Rauf Baloch said the provincial government was promoting digitalisation across departments as part of broader governance reforms. He added that technology driven systems for complaint handling and financial monitoring could significantly enhance transparency, operational efficiency, and public confidence in municipal institutions. Authorities expressed optimism that the initiatives would lead to measurable improvements in urban management and service delivery for Quetta’s residents, while strengthening the institutional capacity of the Metropolitan Corporation.

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan The Government of Balochistan has officially abolished all ‘B’ areas in the province and converted them into ‘A’ areas, merging the Levies Force into the provincial police. This decision brings uniform law enforcement across urban and rural districts, with all former ‘B’ areas now under the jurisdiction of the Balochistan Police. The concept of ‘B Areas’ historically existed to manage rural and tribal regions where direct police presence was limited. In these areas, the Levies Force operated under the supervision of divisional and district officials, allowing local administration and tribal customs to guide law enforcement. While this system aimed to maintain order in remote regions, it often led to administrative ambiguities and legal complications. Under the new arrangement, Sibi and Loralai divisions have been officially designated as ‘A’ areas, bringing them fully under police authority. All personnel of the Levies Force including those previously serving under federal command and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Wing are being integrated into the Balochistan Police while retaining their current ranks, pay scales, and benefits. Assets such as offices, check-posts, vehicles, weapons, records, and infrastructure previously managed by the Levies in these areas will also be transferred to police control. Officials said the merger will simplify the legal and administrative framework related to land and territorial oversight. It ensures that every district in the province will now operate under a single law enforcement system, removing overlapping jurisdictions that had previously caused confusion. Commissioners of Sibi and Loralai divisions have been directed to complete the transition within 30 days of the notification. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti stated that the move aims to enhance transparency, strengthen public protection, and unify the province’s law enforcement. Integrated personnel and police forces will now jointly oversee land, infrastructure, and district management, ensuring consistent and effective administration across all areas. Authorities emphasized that this administrative change marks a major step toward modernizing governance and policing in Balochistan, providing citizens with clear legal and territorial frameworks, and improving overall security management across the province.