When the state’s institutions begin patronising crime, the citizens cannot feel safe. The worsening of the law and order situation has emerged as the biggest threat to Balochistan as people carrying fake intelligence agencies’ ID cards are abusing their authority for personal gains.
These were the views expressed by speakers at a roundtable discussion forum, ‘Decoding the Nexus between Criminal Gangs and Insurgents in Balochistan’, organised by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) on Thursday.
Balochistan National Party Vice President and Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo termed the failure of the law and order situation in Balochistan as the biggest threat to the province. He underlined that people carrying fake ID cards of intelligence agencies are involved in crimes like kidnappings, car theft and drug smuggling.
Detailing the apathy of the state security apparatus, he said the security forces cannot apprehend any influential criminal because of the nexus between the political elite, criminal gangs and agencies. “No security agency dares to stop these people. They operate with impunity and are practically unchecked,” he added. He stated: “The state writ is absent in Balochistan. Levies and FC have become ineffective because of the collusion between criminal gangs and politicians.” Discussing the prospects of change in Balochistan as a result of the fresh elections, he said the new elections will bring relative changes in the province, but they cannot alter the entire status quo.
