Balochistan hopes to lead law and order reforms in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: With an aim to improve the law and order situation in the province and ensure timely justice to citizens, the Balochistan government on Wednesday launched a new Delivery Unit, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The initiative is part of the Rule of Law Roadmap (RLR) that was approved by the Balochistan provincial cabinet, earlier this year.
The RLR is detailed in a document that encompasses significant reforms, specifically aimed at inclusivity and provision of justice to citizens in the province.
The reforms highlighted are expected to be implemented over the next five years. The document was developed by the UNODC with the support of two other UN bodies and the British High Commission.
Speaking on the occasion, Haider Ali Shikoh, Home and Tribal Affairs Department Secretary of Balochistan, said: “Rule of Law is the most important priority of the government of Balochistan and today we have taken a concrete step toward its implementation… by inaugurating the Delivery Unit with the support of the UNODC which has been an instrumental partner in improving the law and order in Balochistan from last eight years.”
Balochistan has consistently ranked extremely low in the law and order indexes and is considered the worst performing province in the country. Among the many security challenges faced by the province, some of the most pressing include the alleged enforced disappearances of thousands, targeting of minority groups such as the Hazaras and the Punjabis, Baloch separatist movements and religious extremism.
Shikoh said that the government is leading the implementation of RLR across all the provinces despite the challenges on the ground. “Launching the Delivery Unit is a witness of that and the government’s ownership and commitment throughout the process, translating their strategic vision into action and becoming a role model for other provinces to follow,” he said.