IMPORTANCE OF

LEVIES
IN ADDITION TO
POLICE
By:
Imran Hamid Sheikh, PAS
Deputy Commissioner/
Commandant Levies Force

SCHEME OF PRESENTATION
Introduction
Why Levies in Addition to Police.
Multifarious tasks performed by Upper Dir
Levies

(A Case Study)

Why both forces should not be merged.

Justification of Risk Allowance for Levies.

INTRODUCTION

After the British conquest of Swat, Dir, Chitral, Bajawar

and Malakand, a collective force was established as Swat
Levies, which included therein the Dir Levies, Chitral
Border Police and Malakand Levies.

Levies is working under the administrative control of

SAFRON Division Government of Pakistan as well as
Home & TA Department, Govt. of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The administration of Levies is governed by Levies Rules

(Amended), 2013.

WHY LEVIES
IN ADDITION TO
POLICE

THE FOREMOST DUTY OF POLICE IS TO PROTECT LIFE, PROPERTY

AND LIBERTY OF CITIZENS (ART. 4 OF POLICE ORDER 2002)

HOWEVER, POLICE HAS TO PERFORM MANY ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

AS EXTRA LOAD LIKE:
a)

Protocol Duties with dignitaries

b)

Security duties with Administrative officers/ Heads of

line departments.

c)

Protection duties of important installations like Grid

stations etc and places of public gathering like NADRA
offices, Passport offices etc.

d)

Accompany Executive Magistrates during Antiencroachment

operations,
price
control/quality
assurance raids, Poppy eradication activities etc.

e)

Accompany those who handle emergencies of purely

administrative nature like strikes and misbehavior by
college students, demonstration against excessive
load-shedding, traffic jams, removal of public
nuisance etc.

f)

Permanent deployment with departments like Forest,

mines & minerals, Fisheries etc.

g)

Miscellaneous significant tasks like accompanying

officers who check examination centers, over
charging by transporters, troublesome developmental
schemes, enforcement of Sec.144 Cr.P.C etc.

 These

important

tasks,

which

are

otherwise

responsibility of Deputy Commissioner as Head of

District Administration, not only affect performance
of Police BADLY but also NOT performed well
because Deputy Commissioner cant issue orders
to Police for deployment as per his plan of action.

In pre-devolution era, D.C/D.M was

equipped with specified/defined role in
Police rules, 1861 which was abolished
with the ill-conceived devolution of power
plan, 2001

No mechanism was devised to fill the gap

when D.C/DCO, as representative of
Govt., needs force on urgent basis to
enforce administrative authority/writ of
Govt.

WAY FORWARD

Option 1: Re-establish old role of D.C in Police

rules

Option 2: Place a contingent of uniformed force at

the disposal of D.C as Levies/ Administrative
Police

OPTION 2 IS MORE FEASIBLE BECAUSE IT WILL

ALLOW:
POLICE TO FOCUS ON CRIME-FIGHTING WITHOUT ANY EXTERNALITY

D.C TO EFFECTIVELY HANDLE ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

OPTION-II (FORCE BESIDES POLICE)

NOT A NOVEL IDEA

Internationally, many countries keep

separate force for auxiliary functions
under
the
direct
control
of
Administrators/Mayors
called
Municipal Police.

Some of such countries are listed here:

 Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Austria
Australia
Brazil
Canada
China
Estonia
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Italy

Mexico
Namibia
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
SlovakiaCity
Slovenia
Spain
South

Africa
Switzerland
Turkey
United States

Contd
Even

in Pakistan, many departments have their

own implementation force like:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Excise & Taxation Department

Pakistan Customs Service
Prisons Department
Civil Aviation Authority
Pakistan Railways
Anti Narcotics Force
Forest Department (Enactment has been
passed)

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF OPTION-II

(LEVIES AT THE DISPOSAL OF D.Cs IN
MALAKAND DIVISION)

DIR UPPER MODEL A CASE STUDY

INTRODUCTION

Dir state was merged in Pakistan in 1969

Initially its Headquarter was Dir Khas but in 1977 it was

shifted toTimergarah

In 1996, Dir was bifurcated into two districts Dir Upper &
Dir Lower

Before bifurcation, Dir Levies was controlled by one Deputy

Commissioner at Timergara as Commandant Dir Levies

In 1996, Dir Levies was also bifurcated accordingly

Total

Strength:

1238 (1038 Federal; 200 Provincial)

COMMAND STRUCTURE

Deputy Commissioner

Addl.

D.C

Commandant

Dy. Commandant

(Admn)

A.Cs

of Sub-divisions
Dy. Commandants (ops)
Addl. A.Cs
Dy. Commandants (Admn)
Subedar
Sub

Major

Operational Commander

Divisional Levies Officers

Assist Dy. Comdts

SPECIALIZED

UNITS OF DIR UPPER LEVIES:

1.

Quick Response Force (QRF)

2.

Levies Intelligence Branch (LIB)

3.

Levies Police (LP)

4.

Levies Traffic Management Squad (LTMS)

5.

Levies Signals Company (LSC)

6.

Kote Masters

7.

Salaami Dasta

8.

Band Party

9.

Anti Narcotics Squad (Trained by Excise & Taxation)

FUNCTIONS

All administrative tasks assigned by its

command to enforce writ of the
Government

ANTI ENCROACHMENT ACTIVITIES

The levy force actively performs anti- encroachment

duties with Administrative officers/ Municipal officers

State land exceeding 150 kanals (worth millions of

rupees) have so far been saved from encroachment
by pre-emptive night operations of Levies.

POPPY ERADICATION

Almost 500 - 600 kanal land has been cleared from

far flung darras (passes) such

as karo Dara,

Nehag Dara, Sultan Khel Dara, Usherai Dara and

Kohistan (Sheringal) from poppy cultivation with the
help of Dir Levies.

Poppy Cultivation has been completely rooted out

from Upper Dir with the help of levy force which
could never otherwise be possible.

ERADICATION OF TIMBER SMUGGLING

Levy force is playing pivotal role in eradicating timber

smuggling shoulder to shoulder with police and Army and
providing effective support to forest department.

DFO Dir Upper openly appreciated Levies during

conference on various forest issues held on 03-12-014 at
District Assembly Hall Dir Upper that, in 2014 alone, total
5586 cft timber was confiscated by Dir Levies and total
fine Rs.2520909/- was submitted in Govt. exchequer as
result of such confiscations.

Moreover, there are total Nine (09) joint check posts of

Levies and forest department which are proving visible
resistance against timber smuggling.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Levies assist Police in Traffic management. There is huge

number of NCP vehicles causing frequent traffic jams.

Currently, 54 Levies jawans perform traffic management

duties in different bazaars of the district daily

Total Rs. 20,65,722 in year 2014 alone has been submitted in

government exchequer because of the levy traffic check
posts.

During various political processions and protests of various

kinds, Levies force has effectively managed traffic under
direct supervisions of DC/ Commandant, ACs/Deputy
Commandants (Operations)

PRICE CONTROL/QUALITY ASSURANCE

RAIDS

During price checking raids in various bazaars,

the Magistrates never bother Police due to
Levies.

There is permanent deployment of levy force in

each bazaar for looking after any unpleasant
happening , emergency situations and keeping
an eye on condition of cleanliness.

On average, Rs.0.8 (M) per month is submitted in

Government Exchequer as a result of such raids

ENFORCEMENT OF Sec.144 Cr.P.C

Stopped movement of snow & sale of cut fruits used by

locals causing epidemic of diarrhea. As a result, sharp
decline was observed in diarrhea patients in 2014
summers.

Confiscated 583 sub standard water bottles/ expired

soft drinks from different bazaars of the district.

Confiscated 134 illegal SIMs from Barawal Bazaar.

Ransacked all stationery shops to search banned

material

DEPLOYMENT WITH ARMY/POLICE IN

SENSITIVE AREAS

50 jawans of Levies are deployed with Pak Army at

Pak-Afghan boarder

Levies is also performing night patrolling from 7pm to

12 am and from 12 am to 7am (in two shifts) in the
most sensitive boarder area of the District with Police.

13 jawans of Levies have embraced Shahadat till

date in the line of duty

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

In post devolution era, Police does not share DSRs

with Administrative officers due to which there is no
mechanism of flow of useful information in time to
District Administration.

Levies has chalked out local intelligence network

LIB (Levies Intelligence Branch) just like special
branch in police.

LIB is expanded in the whole District and effectively

communicates any incident occurring in any part of
the District within no time and also communicates
advance information, where required.

VIPs SECURITY

There are total 69 levy men deputed with

parliamentarian / Political figures / elders and
Lashkar Commanders which are more in number
as compared to

the number of Police men

deployed for the same purpose.

SECURITY OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS

Besides all the courts in the District, Dir Levies is also

performing security duty with all other Government
Departments in Dir Upper i.e. Education, Health,
Agriculture, District Accounts office etc .

Total 58 levy men are performing security duty in

above mentioned government departments

This support not only enhance output of departments

but also establishes strong linkage between District
Administration and line Departments.

CIVIL DEFENCE / RESCUE FORCE

On

number of occasions, it has been witnessed that levy

force left no stone unturned in supporting Civil Defense
department and DDMU during calamities or disasters.

No

matter if it is land sliding or building on fire, floods or

excessive snowfall specially on Lowari Top , Levy force is
readily available on one call to assist Administration.
Levies have been imparted proper civil defence training.

SERVING AS DFCs/NAIB COURTS IN

VARIOUS COURTS

The services of levy jawans in the district are also

being utilized in the courts of DC, ADC, ACs , AACs
and Tehsildars in the district as DFCs/Naib courts for
service of summons etc.

Police is never bothered for such like tasks.

SECURITY OF FOREIGNERS

Dir levies is also performing

security duty (Total number of 09
levy Sepoys with 01 Hawaldar)
with
expatriates
(Korean
Engineers) serving in Lowari
tunnel project.

FORESTATION

Besides performing duty on joint check posts

with forest department, reasonable strength of
Dir Levies has been deployed in the forests of
Sheringal and Dir sub Divisions along with forest
guards for keeping steady watch and stopping
any illegal activity pertaining to deforestation.

SPECIAL TASKS
During

snow fall season, a specific number of levy

strength is deputed on South portal of Lowari Tunnel
in case of road blocks and Traffic.

Implementation

of problematic development
schemes like that of plantation at vulnerable hill of
Kass. The mass movement of hill was prevented by
plantation and constant supervision of hundreds of
plants for which the local populace was not ready
due to political differences.

Checking

of Examination centers with Education

Department officials.

POLIO DUTY

More than 300 levy men are engaged in Polio

Eradication Campaigns (As team members).

Hence, the departments are relieved to perform their

routine work even during Polio campaigns.

They are also utilized by the District Administration for

security of transit teams and refusal coverage.

Owing to these efforts, the district is Polio free from

the last three years.

SECURITY OF IMPORTANT BUILDINGS

Security of two grid stations at Wari and chukiyatan

Security of PTCL exchanges

Security of DHQ, THQ hospitals

Security of District Malkhana

Security of Hill Park

Security of DC/AC offices & houses

DUTIES ON MAIN BRIDGES

Reasonable strength of levy men have been

deputed on all bridges ranging from Akhagram to
Lowari Top on the main NHA Road to secure the
bridges;

DPO showed his inability to do so due to shortage

of strength and other security related functions of
Police.

DUTIES DURING FESTIVALS/ELECTIONS.

During various festivals like Eid, Muharram and

any other religious or social events, Levies assists
Police in security duties.

During Elections, the code of conduct was

implemented in true letter and spirit by Levies

OUT DISTRICT DUTIES

Levies

is fully supporting police

force and other LEAs.

50

levy jawans from District Upper

Dir were sent to Peshawar to

control Muharram processions in
2014.

ESCORT DUTY

During the movement of foreigners of various

NGOs , special squads of Dir Levies perform
escort duty as and when required just like Police.

Similarly in case of visit of VVIPs like Prime

Minister, Chief Minister or Governor etc special
squads of Dir Levies remain stand by.

IMPLEMENTATION OF MINOR ACTS/ LOCAL

AND SPECIAL LAWS

In order to prevent illegal fish hunting , 07 levy men

are kept standby to support Fisheries department
during raids. In 2014, 67 cases against illegal fishing
were registered & culprits were caught red handed.

Similarly, 07 levy men are performing duties with

minor mineral officer to stop illegal mining

05 Levies personnel are deputed with drug inspector

to enhance his output

PESCO staff is provided security during their antihooks campaigns

WHY SHOULD BOTH FORCES

(Police & Levies)
NOT BE MERGED
OR
PLACED UNDER THE COMMAND OF
DPO ?

The idea of merger/ Command of Levies by

DPO is void ab initio as it is against the basic
principle of existence of Levies
Police should emerge as a specialized force
for crime fighting & Levies should remain a
generalized force to assist Administrators
where
they
require
force
during
administrative emergencies.
Levies is trained by Army units in a different
way from Police. Having merged two different
forces from two different perspectives,
trainings and grooming; cannot be successful
in any way.

The Seniority issue will be extremely serious in

case of merger of two forces, it will create
complications and Levies force will be
demoralized.

Levies has its own service structures/hierarchy,

equipped with weapons/vehicles, hence parallel
to Police; so cant be merged in Police.

JUSTIFICATION
FOR
RISK ALLOWANCE
FOR LEVIES

GROUNDS
1.

Being uniformed force, they are as vulnerable as any other

LEA

2.

Even more susceptible because they roam around with civil

officers without following any SOP for movement of forces

3.

Security duties of Levies are as risky as that of Police

4.

The risk factor for Levies is critical because of their poor

self defense logistics including vehicle jammers, bullet
proof jackets, inferior weaponry etc

5.

High court has also ordered for provision of risk allowance

to Levies equal to Police

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION
If risk allowance for Dir (U) Levies on the pattern of
Police is approved, extra burden over exchequer (per
year) will be as follows:
Federal Levies:
Rs. 86.340 (M)
Provincial Levies:
Rs. 12.267 (M)
Total:
Rs.98.608 (M)
(which is peanuts as compared to the services
rendered by them)

PICTORIAL GALLERY

THE FIRST LETTER

ISSUED

Thanks