Quetta Division

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has announced a comprehensive development package for the newly established Koh e Suleman Division, stating that the region’s elevation to divisional status will be accompanied by substantial investment in civic infrastructure, planned urban growth and improved public services. Addressing a large public gathering in Rakhni, now designated as the divisional headquarters, the chief minister said the area had remained neglected for decades due to weak administrative presence and limited public investment. He emphasised that the government’s objective was to link administrative restructuring with tangible development outcomes rather than symbolic change. Under the development package, the provincial government will establish a fifty bed hospital, complete a residential college and finalise construction of the Naharkot Dam to address water supply and irrigation needs. Rakhni will also be granted the status of a municipal committee, strengthening its local governance framework. The municipal body will be renamed Municipal Committee Dera Khetran. Additional initiatives include the immediate launch of the Rakhni Model Bazaar, development of a housing scheme and establishment of a press club to support civic participation and information access. These measures aim to formalise urban management, improve service delivery and introduce organised systems for land use, sanitation, markets and housing. Officials said the Model Bazaar and housing scheme are expected to stimulate local commerce, reduce informal settlements and encourage planned urban expansion. Improved municipal oversight is also expected to enhance revenue generation and maintenance of public facilities. The chief minister noted that the establishment of a divisional headquarters would bring government departments closer to residents, reduce travel time for public services and strengthen administrative coordination. He described the move as a step towards balanced regional development and better integration of remote districts into the provincial governance structure. Urban planners and development experts view the package as a foundation for structured growth in a historically underserved region, where the absence of basic municipal infrastructure has constrained investment and economic activity. Improved healthcare, education, water resources and market facilities are expected to raise living standards and support sustainable settlement patterns. The public gathering was attended by tribal elders, community representatives and local political leaders, reflecting broad support for the development agenda aimed at transforming Koh e Suleman into a functional administrative and service centre for surrounding districts.

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.