QUETTA: The European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Thursday announced the inauguration of Police Khidmat Markaz in Kuchlak, Quetta.
This collaborative venture with Balochistan Police marks a pioneering era in community-focused law enforcement, embodying a transformative approach that places a premium on responsiveness, accessibility, and community engagement.
Funded through the EU’s Deliver Justice Project, a pivotal component of the broader Rule of Law Roadmap in Balochistan, the initiative supports reforms aimed at ensuring people-centered justice, equitable access to justice, especially for females and marginalized groups.
It also aimed at enhancing the service delivery of the security sector in alignment with constitutional safeguards and global standards.
Initiative to empower local communities in Balochistan
The establishment of the Police Khidmat Markaz highlights the joint commitment of the UNODC, EU, and Balochistan Police to empower local communities through improved policing services, providing facilitation to all people through a unified service point.
The inauguration ceremony of the Markaz was presided over by Abdul Khalique Sheikh, PSP, Inspector General of Police Balochistan, in the presence of Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to Pakistan, and Dr. Jeremy Milsom, Representative, UNODC Pakistan.
The primary objective of the Markaz is to alleviate the workload on conventional police stations, enabling them to focus resources on the fundamental responsibility of crime prevention while simultaneously bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement.
It is designed to provide seamless processes, guarantee prompt service for people, uphold respectful treatment of the public, and introduce a citizen feedback mechanism along with an online tracking system.
Distinctive features include integrated IT software solutions, a gender desk, and CCTV cameras, differentiating it remarkably from regular police stations in terms of environment, structure, and public interactions. The markaz facilitates easy filing of complaints, especially in non-cognizable offenses.
